Quality of life in RCT of pasireotide to reduce pancreatic complications following resection.

Abstract

393 Background: A recent trial demonstrated that prophylactic pasireotide reduces pancreatic complication (PC) rates (primary objective). In this secondary analysis, we describe quality of life (QoL) in this population before and after resection using a standard instrument (the EORTC QLQ-C30) and the EORTC pancreatic cancer module (PAN26), which was recently developed to address the unmet need for QoL assessment in this subpopulation. Also of interest is assessing the association between PC and QoL and testing the hypothesis that pasireotide improves QoL. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of preoperative subcutaneous pasireotide in 300 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy or distal pancreatectomy. Participants completed the C30 and PAN26 preoperatively and on postoperative days 14 and 60. Scores were compared using paired t-tests. Results: All patients completed at least one questionnaire and 87% of patients completed all three. No major differences in QoL were seen between treatment groups so pooled results were reported. A significant worsening of function at 14 days was detected on all PAN26 and C30 function scales except hepatic and emotional functioning (EF), and all C30 symptom scales (all p<.01). These effects lessened by 60 days, but scores remained significantly worse than baseline with the exception of the sexuality, cognitive functioning, nausea and vomiting, insomnia and constipation scales, which returned to near baseline, and EF, which was significantly better than baseline (p=0.03). PC occurred in 45 patients and was associated with worse body image, dyspnea, financial difficulties and physical, role, emotional and social functioning at 14 and 60 days (all p<.05). Conclusions: During the first 14 days following resection, patients can be expected to have a significant decline in QoL. Many symptoms abate by 60 days, and EF improves. Although pasireotide effectively reduced PC, its effect did not appear to translate to improved QoL based on this sample of 300 patients. While PC was associated with worse QoL, most patients in both pasireotide and placebo groups did not experience PC, which may explain why no significant difference in QoL was observed. Clinical trial information: NCT00994110.