TITLE:
Patient-Reported Outcomes in Prostate Cancer: Prospective Changes Analysis for Prognosis Prediction
AUTHORS:
Teresa Sequeira, Pedro Lopes Ferreira, Joana Teixeira, Isabel Peres, Jorge Oliveira, Augusta Silveira
KEYWORDS:
Oncology, Prostate Cancer, Health Related Quality of Life, Patient-Reported Outcomes, Prognosis Prediction
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cancer Therapy,
Vol.6 No.15,
December
16,
2015
ABSTRACT: Prostate cancer is affecting a higher proportion of male population.
Health Related Quality of Life assessment can guide the development of an
interdisciplinary and patient-centered care intervention. This study is aimed
to assess Health Related Quality of Life in prostate cancer patients. Relationships
between socio-demographic, clinical characteristics and patient-reported
outcomes have been considered. Consecutive outpatients with prostate cancer,
admitted at the Urology Clinic of the Instituto Português de Oncologia do
Porto, were studied (n = 300). Health Related Quality of Life was assessed as
part of the routine practice. The European Organisation for Research and
Treatment of Cancer general questionnaire, QLQ-C30, and its specific module for
prostate cancer patients, QLQ-PR25, were used. Evolution along time (elapsed
since diagnosis, and up to 5 years) was considered in order to search for a
prognosis prediction in prostate cancer patients. This study confirms the
feasibility of a systematic Health Related Quality of Life assessment. Global
Health Related Quality of Life was found to be higher 6 months after diagnosis,
decreasing then until the second year after diagnosis and improving thereafter.
A peak with better scores was identified at the fifth year after diagnosis.
Social and physical dimensions revealed a similar pattern. Clinical
significance was found 6 months and 5 years after diagnosis. The prospective
analysis of Health Related Quality of Life changes is able to explore the
patients’ outcomes in order to find patterns and relationships for prognosis
prediction along the disease course. Such approach might promote patient
confidence and thus a better cancer experience.