Is there a need for multiple measures in assessing quality of life in oncology?

Abstract

8098 Background: The European Organization for Research Treatment of Cancer - Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC) and Ferrans & Powers Quality of Life Index (QLI) are the two most widely used instruments to measure quality of life (QoL) in oncology. Previously we reported the concordance of these instruments in a cohort of newly admitted cancer patients at our treating center in Zion, IL. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate if we could obtain similar results at our treating cancer in Tulsa, OK. Methods: A survey of 141 adult cancer patients presenting for treatment at Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Southwestern Regional Medical Center was completed between 01/04 and 05/04. QoL was measured using EORTC and QLI. EORTC incorporates 5 functional scales (physical, role, cognition, emotional, and social), 9 symptom scales (fatigue, pain, and nausea/vomiting, dyspnea, insomnia, loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhea, financial problems), and a global QoL scale. QLI measures overall QoL as well as QoL in 4 major scales: health/physical, social/economic, psychological/spiritual, and family. The correlations between different scales of EORTC and QLI were evaluated using the Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r). Results: Of 141 patients, 72 (51%) were males and 69 (49%) females with a median age of 56 years (range 22 - 84). 82 (58%) patients had failed prior treatment while 59 (42%) were newly diagnosed. 34 (24%) had breast ca, 26 (18.4%) lung ca, 25 (17.7%) prostate ca, 12 (8.5%) colorectal ca, while 44 (31%) had a variety of other cancers. 74 patients (52.5%) had stage IV disease. Correlations between the corresponding scales of EORTC and QLI were low (r = 0.1 - 0.4; p<0.05), with the exception of QLI health scale, which was strongly correlated with all EORTC functional scales (r = 0.4 - 0.8; p<0.05). Conclusions: We found that EORTC and QLI measure different aspects of QoL, with the only areas of strong correlation between QLI health scale and EORTC functional scales. This study confirms our previous finding that both instruments provide information that would otherwise not be captured by a single instrument. No significant financial relationships to disclose.