Faculty Collaboration Database

The impact of clinical and sociodemographic features on quality of life in patients with early stage cancers using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General assessment tool. Support Care Cancer 2013 Aug;21(8):2267-77

Date

03/23/2013

Pubmed ID

23519569

DOI

10.1007/s00520-013-1789-4

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84879921952 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   5 Citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study aims to compare the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) quality of life (QOL) scores of patient groups with varying clinical and sociodemographic features in the early stage cancer population.

METHODS: A literature search was conducted on both the Embase and OvidSP platforms. Weighted analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed for binary predictors and weighted linear regression analysis was conducted for continuous predictors.

RESULTS: Six binary features predicted at least one domain of QOL: primary cancer site (homogeneous versus heterogeneous), total per capita healthcare expenditures, mean age, previous chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and previous hormonal therapy. Two continuous factors had predictive value with respect to QOL: completion of postsecondary education and marital status.

CONCLUSION: Although there are limitations of the current study, similar correlations to our own have been previously described between QOL and healthcare expenditures, mean age and education. Currently, the literature conflicts in its analysis of previous radiotherapy and chemotherapy as predictors of QOL. No published evidence exists describing the presently found relationships in primary cancer site, marital status and hormonal therapy. Future work may focus on determining cause and effect relationships between these predictors and QOL.

Author List

Popovic M, Lao N, Zeng L, Zhang L, Cella D, Beaumont JL, Chow R, Chiu N, Chiu L, Lam H, Poon M, Chow E

Author

Nicole Mae Lao MD Assistant Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Aged
Disease Progression
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Neoplasms
Quality of Life
Socioeconomic Factors