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Determinants of quality of life in patients with advanced cancer

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Abstract

Purpose

Improving health-related quality of life (HRQL) is the main goal of palliative care and an important outcome for oncology trials. This study examines medical and sociodemographic determinants of HRQL in outpatients with advanced cancer.

Methods

Patients with metastatic gastrointestinal, genitourinary, breast, lung or gynecological cancer, ECOG 0-2, and clinical prognosis of 6 months to 2 years were recruited from outpatient medical oncology clinics. HRQL was measured using the FACT-G questionnaire and the FACIT-Sp meaning and peace (existential) subscale. The influence of demographic and medical characteristics on HRQL was determined using t tests and analysis of variance, with Tukey’s correction for multiple comparisons. Multivariate linear regression was used to determine independent predictors.

Results

Of 285 patients, 57% were female and the median age was 61 years; 44% were alive at latest follow-up; and of those deceased, the mean survival time was 10 months. The strongest determinants of overall HRQL were increased age (p < 0.001), good performance status (PS; p < 0.001) and survival time >6 months (p = 0.001). Compared to patients receiving cancer treatment, those awaiting new treatment had worse emotional well-being (p < 0.001), while those on surveillance or whose treatment had been stopped had worse existential well-being (p = 0.03). Male gender predicted better emotional and physical well-being and lower income predicted worse social well-being.

Conclusions

Age, PS, survival time, and treatment status are important determinants of HRQL in patients with advanced cancer. Decision aids, open communication, and involvement of supportive care specialists may improve emotional and existential distress associated with changing or stopping cancer treatment.

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Acknowledgement

This research is funded by the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS Grant #017257 and #020509; CZ). The funding source had no role in the design, conduct, or preparation of the data, or in the preparation of the manuscript. This research was funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the OMOHLTC. We are grateful to the patients who participated in this study, and to the clinical staff of the medical oncology clinics. Many thanks to Christopher Lo for his advice concerning statistical analyses.

Conflict of interest statement

None declared.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Department of Medicine, Toronto, Canada

    Camilla Zimmermann, Monika K. Krzyzanowska, Natasha Leighl, Malcolm Moore & Ian Tannock

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    Gary Rodin

  3. Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Princess Margaret Hospital, 610 University Ave., 16-712, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5G 2M9

    Camilla Zimmermann, Debika Burman, Nadia Swami & Gary Rodin

  4. Department of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada

    Monika K. Krzyzanowska, Natasha Leighl, Malcolm Moore & Ian Tannock

Authors
  1. Camilla Zimmermann
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  2. Debika Burman
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  3. Nadia Swami
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  4. Monika K. Krzyzanowska
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  5. Natasha Leighl
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  6. Malcolm Moore
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  8. Ian Tannock
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Camilla Zimmermann.

Additional information

This research is funded by the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS Grant #017257 and #020509; CZ). Results of this study were previously published/presented in part at the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 21st International Symposium, June 26-28, 2008, Houston, Texas.

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Zimmermann, C., Burman, D., Swami, N. et al. Determinants of quality of life in patients with advanced cancer. Support Care Cancer 19, 621–629 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-010-0866-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-010-0866-1

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