Patient-Reported Outcomes in Sarcoma: A scoping review.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Patient-Reported Outcomes Research
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Sarcoma is a diverse cancer group affecting primarily young individuals, influenced by various risk factors.
• Understanding the patient's perspective on their illness experience is crucial for comprehensive care.
• Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) capture direct patient experiences, including symptoms, quality of life, and psychological well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review mapping the landscape of PROs utilized in sarcoma patient studies.
• To identify and categorize the methods used for measuring PROs in sarcoma patients.

Main Methods:

• A systematic scoping review methodology was employed.
• The review process adhered to the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist for scoping reviews.
• A comprehensive literature search identified relevant studies for inclusion.

Main Results:

• Out of 116 initially identified studies, 27 met the inclusion criteria.
• Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was the most frequently assessed PRO, followed by functional outcomes, mental health aspects, and specific symptoms.
• Generic HRQoL questionnaires were commonly used, and quantitative studies often employed multiple Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs).

Conclusions:

• Analysis of PROs is essential for understanding sarcoma patient needs.
• Existing PROMs used in sarcoma research lack specificity to the disease.
• Development of novel, sarcoma-specific measurement strategies is recommended to better capture patient perceptions.