Racial Disparities in Health-Related Quality of Life After Lung Cancer Surgery: Findings From the Cancer Care...

This study investigated racial disparities in postsurgical health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Data were collected by the Cancer Care Outcomes Research and Surveillance Consortium. Inclusion criteria were greater than or equal to 21 years of age, NSCLC, and receipt of surgery. HRQOL data were available from patients' surveys, and complete medical record abstraction was performed to obtain clinical data. HRQOL was assessed by the physical/mental component summary scores (PCS/MCS) of the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey at two time points. Mean time between surgery and the initial assessment (time 1) after surgery was 4.1 (SD 2.2) months and between surgery and second assessment (time 2) was 12.7 (SD 3.8) months. Multivariable linear regression models were used to examine associations between race and HRQOL.

Of 650 patients, 80.5% were White, 8.8% Black, and 10.7% other races. At second assessment, Blacks reported lower MCS than Whites (47.4 versus 52.6, p = 0.002). In multivariable analysis, Blacks had lower MCS compared with Whites. No difference was found between Whites and Blacks on PCS. Those with less than high school education reported lower MCSs. Older age and receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery were associated with gain in MCS. Male, less than college education, and comorbidities were associated with impaired PCS. Older age was associated with improved PCS.

Racial disparities exist in postoperative mental HRQOL. Results highlight the need for interventions after lung cancer surgery to improve mental health in Black and younger patients.