NCOG-16. THE IMPACT OF THE TIMING OF HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE ASSESSMENTS ON THE ACTUAL RESULTS IN GLIOMA PATIENTS: A RANDOMIZED PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to explore the impact of the timing of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measurements in clinical care on obtained HRQoL scores in glioma patients, and the association with feelings of anxiety or depression. METHODS Patients completed the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaires (QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BN20), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at two time points. All patients completed the first measurement on the day of the MRI-scan (t=0), but the second measurement (t= 1) depended on randomization; group 1 (n= 49) completed the questionnaires before and group 2 (n= 51) after the consultation with the physician. RESULTS Median HRQoL scale/item scores on t0/t1 and change scores were comparable between the two groups. Between 8-58% of patients changed to a clinically relevant extent (i.e. ≥ 10 points) on the evaluated HRQoL scales/items in about one week time, in both directions, with only 3% of patients remaining stable in all scales. The mean number of the 26 evaluated HRQoL scales/items that changed to a clinically relevant extent per patient was 7 (SD= 4). Patients with stable role functioning had a lower HADS anxiety change score. However, this association was no longer significant in the multivariable regression when corrected for confounding factors. The HADS depression score was not associated with a change in HRQoL. DISCUSSION Measuring HRQoL before or after the consultation did not impact HRQoL scores on group level. However, the large majority of patients reported a clinically relevant difference in at least one HRQoL scale/item between the two time points, which was in general not influenced by feelings of anxiety or depression. Nevertheless, these findings highlight the importance of a standardized timing (e.g. at the day of the scan, consultation or first day of treatment) of patient-reported outcome assessments in clinical trials.