Abstract
PurposeThis paper studies the Quality of Life (QL) of Spanish advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving platinum-doublet chemotherapy, compares our results with those from studies from other cultural areas, and identifies factors associated with global QL and survival prognostic variables.MethodsEORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-LC13 questionnaires were completed three times by 39 patients along treatment and follow-up. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to study global QL determinants (≤50 points considered low global-QL score). Analyses of prognostic variables for death were performed (Cox proportional hazards models).ResultsQL mean scores in the whole sample were moderately high, with limitations (>30) in physical, role, social functioning, emotional areas, fatigue, pain, neuropathy and global QL. Differences with studies from other cultural areas were mainly found in the lower score for dyspnoea (≥15 points). There were no significant differences in QL scores between the first and second assessments. In six areas, the third assessment was lower than the first and second: fatigue, hair loss (>20 points); physical, social functioning, neuropathy (10–20 points); emotional functioning (5–10 points). The best model to explain the chances of low QL includes, as explanatory variables, high emotional functioning as protective factor and fatigue as risk factor (R2 = 0.70). Eight QL areas (four pain-related) and performance status showed a statistically significant association with survival.ConclusionPatients adapted well to their disease and treatments. Platinum-doublet can be administered in advanced NSCLC patients. Our QL data are in line with those from other cultural areas.
Highlights
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide (Li et al 2012)
In this paper we study Quality of Life (QL) and its changes during treatment and follow-up in advanced-disease Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Spanish patients treated with platinum-doublet, compare our results with those from studies conducted in other cultural areas, and analyse the determinants of the patients’ global QL as well as factors related to survival
Advanced Spanish NSCLC patients treated with platinum-doublet showed moderate QL scores during treatment and follow-up assessments
Summary
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide (Li et al 2012). Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is more frequently diagnosed in advanced stages, when patients present symptoms and treatment side-effects that may affect their Quality of Life (QL; Arrieta et al 2013). Larsson et al (2012) found that before the start of treatment almost all QL areas (both those common to others tumours and those for lung cancer) were statistically deteriorated in advanced NSCLC patients in comparison with the general population. Braun et al (2011) consider that treatment for advanced lung cancer must always be judged in the context of its effects on patient QL. In this respect, chemotherapy is understood that might increase survival and Arraras et al SpringerPlus (2016) 5:836
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