Quality of life and physical limitations in primary brain tumor patients

Abstract

To correlate quality of life (QoL) and physical limitations in histological proven primary brain tumor patients using a battery of generic, disease-specific and symptom questionnaires. Thirty patients with primary brain tumors were selected from a neuro-oncology outpatient clinic. The FACT-Br Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Brain (specific quality of life questionnaire for patients with brain tumors), SF-36 (generic quality of life questionnaire), HADS (anxiety and depression), and Barthel Index (functionality scale) were answered by the patients at the same interview. The Barthel index did not demonstrate correlation with any subscale of the FACT-Br questionnaire. The HADS had a negative correlation with all FACT-Br subscales and its total score. The SF-36 had a significant weak to moderate correlation with the FACT-Br questionnaire. Considering that the FACT-Br is a quick specific questionnaire, it can be a valuable and simple option in evaluating QoL in brain tumor patients with good functional capacity.