Quality of life measures as a preliminary clinical indicator in patients with primary brain tumors

The health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measures serve as valuable indicators of survival in patients with newly diagnosed primary brain tumors (PBTs). HRQOL outcomes may benefit clinical decision-making by individualizing patient treatment and improving communications between the doctor, patient, and families. Exploring the individual items of the European Organization and Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QOL) measures may be predictive of prognosis.

We prospectively collected the validated HRQOL and standard clinical and radiological measures from 48 patients with newly diagnosed PBT. The patients were followed every 3 months over 2 years. No proxies were allowed. Questionnaire responses were compared between two groups: Patients with recurrence and/or death (n = 26) and patients without a recurrence (n = 22). A total of 17 patients succumbed to a tumor-related death. Statistical analysis utilizing nonparametric t-tests and Wilcoxon sign tests assessed QOL responses.

Significant group differences were noted in the QOL measures with more negative responses in the recurrence group. EORTC QLQ-C30 questions revealed a poor global HRQOL scale (P < 0.005) and pain interfering with daily activities (P < 0.05). EORTC QLQ-BN20 questions revealed weakness of the legs (P < 0.05), coordination difficulties (P < 0.005), and unsteady gait (P < 0.05). Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questions reflected a patient who is slowed down (P < 0.01) and "frightened" (P < 0.05).

Our analysis of longitudinal HRQOL measures may shed light on the prognostic significance of HRQOL measures in patients with newly diagnosed PBT. Further research is warranted to determine which selected individual measures of the EORTC QOL measures may be predictive of a patient's progression-free and overall survival and to test their validity and reliability in clinical trials.