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Updated: Jun 2, 2026
Quantifying Cognitive Decrements Caused by Cranial Radiotherapy
Published on: October 18, 2011
Quality of life and physical limitations in primary brain tumor patients
Mariana R Gazzotti1, Suzana M F Malheiros, Marcela Batan Alith
1Neurosurgery/Respiratory Physiotherapy Group of the Respiratory Division, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Objective:
To correlate quality of life (QoL) and physical limitations in histological proven primary brain tumor patients using a battery of generic, disease-specific and symptom questionnaires.
Methods:
Thirty patients with primary brain tumors were selected from a neuro-oncology outpatient clinic. The FACT-Br Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Brain (specific quality of life questionnaire for patients with brain tumors), SF-36 (generic quality of life questionnaire), HADS (anxiety and depression), and Barthel Index (functionality scale) were answered by the patients at the same interview.
Results:
The Barthel index did not demonstrate correlation with any subscale of the FACT-Br questionnaire. The HADS had a negative correlation with all FACT-Br subscales and its total score. The SF-36 had a significant weak to moderate correlation with the FACT-Br questionnaire.
Conclusion:
Considering that the FACT-Br is a quick specific questionnaire, it can be a valuable and simple option in evaluating QoL in brain tumor patients with good functional capacity.