Influence of clinical parameters on quality of life during chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: application of a general linear model.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to determine the relative influence of physician-assessed clinical parameters, including non-hematological adverse events and performance status, on quality of life (QOL) during chemotherapy.

METHODS:

QOL questionnaires consisting of four domains (functional, physical, mental and psychosocial) were self-administered every week during chemotherapy by patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer in two phase III clinical trials; 377 patients who completed the questionnaires at baseline and at least once during the first course of therapy were analyzed. A general linear model was applied, where the four domains and the clinical parameters (nausea/vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, fever, peripheral neuropathy and performance status) were used as the response and explanatory variables, respectively. In this model, the multi-dimensional and longitudinal aspects of QOL data were taken into account.

RESULTS:

All four domains were significantly affected by the occurrence of nausea/vomiting, anorexia and diarrhea. No influence of peripheral neuropathy on the domains was detected. Performance status was significantly related to the domains (except the psychosocial domain).

CONCLUSION:

This study revealed, by examination of multi-dimensional repeated QOL data, that clinical parameters had significant effects on QOL in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Our findings suggest that supportive care to control non-hematological adverse events, especially gastrointestinal, could maintain overall QOL in cancer patients in an earlier phase of chemotherapy.

• Authors: Satoshi Morita, Kunihiko Kobayashi, Kenji Eguchi, Taketoshi Matsumoto, Masahiko Shibuya, Yasufumi Yamaji, Junichi Sakamoto, Yasuo Ohashi
• Journal: Japanese journal of clinical oncology (Jpn J Clin Oncol) Vol. 33 Issue 9 Pg. 470-6 (Sep 2003) ISSN: 0368-2811 [Print] England
• PMID: 14594941 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Clinical Trial, Phase III, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Irinotecan
• Cisplatin
• Vindesine
• Camptothecin

Topics

• Aged
• Anorexia (chemically induced)
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Camptothecin (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives)
• Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung (drug therapy, psychology)
• Cisplatin (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Diarrhea (chemically induced)
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Female
• Humans
• Irinotecan
• Linear Models
• Lung Neoplasms (drug therapy, psychology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nausea (chemically induced)
• Quality of Life
• Vindesine (administration & dosage)
• Vomiting, Anticipatory (etiology)