Abstract Purpose Identifying patients with similar health-related quality of life (HRQoL) recovery patterns can guide more effective disease management. This study aimed to identify cross-sectional and longitudinal HRQoL profiles in esophageal cancer patients, and to examine associations with demographic and clinical characteristics. Methods Longitudinal data from the Prospective Observational Cohort Study of Esophageal-gastric cancer Patients (POCOP) were analyzed. Patients treated with chemoradiation (CRT), with/without surgery, were followed for 12 months post-treatment. HRQoL was measured pre-treatment, at 6- and 12-months using validated questionnaires (i.e., EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-OG25, and HADS). Latent Profile and Latent Transition analyses were used to identify cross-sectional and longitudinal profiles, respectively. Regression analyses explored their associations with demographic and clinical characteristics. Results Of the 605 patients (mean age: 66.6 (SD: 8.0) years), most were male (82%) and had undergone surgery (73%). At each time point, two cross-sectional HRQoL profiles were identified: one with relatively high HRQoL (78–84%) and low HRQoL (16–22%). Both profiles showed significant impairments compared to population norms. Longitudinal analyses revealed five distinct HRQoL profiles: stable-high (65%), stable-low (5%), improving (10%), deteriorating (14%), and fluctuating (6%). Poorer HRQoL was associated with female sex and lower body mass index. Fluctuating HRQoL with surgery. Conclusions In our cohort, most esophageal cancer patients experienced relatively high or improving HRQoL, but some faced deteriorating or persistent impairments. Patients’ sex, BMI, and surgery status may help identify those needing extra support. Implications for Cancer Survivors Recognizing different HRQoL profiles can help manage recovery expectations, and guide more personalized and timely care after treatment.
Deuning-Smit et al. (Mon,) studied this question.