Health-related quality of life in patients surviving non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The EuroQol 5D (EQ-5D) is a standardised instrument for measuring health-related quality of life (HRQoL). It provides a utility score for health, and a self-rating of HRQoL (EQ-VAS). In this study, the EQ-5D was used to assess HRQoL in survivors of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The influence of tumour stage, adverse events, initial treatment and presence of recurrence was examined. METHODS: Patients treated for NSCLC were sent a questionnaire, consisting of the EQ-5D, EQ-VAS and questions regarding adverse events. Tumour stage, date and type of initial treatment, and presence of recurrence were derived from patient files once patients had completed the questionnaire and informed consent form. Influencing factors were examined by exploring subgroups and using multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 374 patients contacted, 260 (70%) returned a completed questionnaire. The EQ-VAS generated an average self-rated health of 69 (SD 18). The mean utility score was 0.74 (SD 0.27). Respondents with severe adverse events (dyspnoea grade ≥ 3) had statistically significantly lower utility scores than respondents without severe adverse events (median 0.52 vs 0.81; p <0.001). Subgroups based on a patient's initial treatment modality revealed statistically significantly different utility scores (p=0.010). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study provide original data on HRQoL during survival of NSCLC. Adverse events were found to have a considerable impact on HRQoL. This stresses the need to search for treatment modalities that not only improve survival, but also reduce adverse events.