Quality of life measures for patients receiving adjuvant therapy for breast cancer: an international trial. The International Breast Cancer Study Group.
Serial quality of life (QL) assessments are being obtained every 3 months for 2 years from patients with operable breast cancer in two ongoing International Breast Cancer Study Group (IBCSG) randomised clinical trials of adjuvant treatment. The QL-assessments include patient-derived perceived coping (PACIS, personal adjustment to chronic illness scale), well-being (Bf-S, Befindlichkeitsskala von Zerssen), mood, physical well-being and appetite (LASA, linear analogue self assessments). The first assessment within 6 weeks of surgery was performed by 70% of the patients. The analysis of serial assessments for 265 patients with each of the first four assessments completed showed that all measures improved with increasing time from study entry; that the degrees of improvement for the four major language groups were similar; and that measures were sensitive to treatment difference. In conclusion, measurement of QL related aspects in a multicultural clinical trial is feasible and possibly relevant for the evaluation of treatment results.
Hürny
C
C
Medical Division Lory, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland.
Bernhard
J
J
Gelber
R D
RD
Coates
A
A
Castiglione
M
M
Isley
M
M
Dreher
D
D
Peterson
H
H
Goldhirsch
A
A
Senn
H J
HJ
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
D013629:Tamoxifen