Baseline quality of life predicts survival in patients with advanced colorectal cancer.
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of baseline quality of life (QoL) on survival in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. From 1992 to 1998, four randomised clinical trials in advanced colorectal cancer were conducted at this institution. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Quality of Life Core 30 (EORTC-QLQ-C30) questionnaire was completed prior to the commencement of chemotherapy. Analyses were performed on median-dichotomised baseline Quality of Life (QoL) and clinical prognostic factors. Baseline QoL questionnaires were completed by 501 patients. One-year survival was 38.3 and 72.5% (P<0.0001) for patients with global QoL scores below and above the median (67), respectively. Other than cognitive functioning, fatigue, appetite, constipation, diarrhoea and financial domains, all QoL scales were significant independent predictors of survival (P<0.035). In the final model, the global QoL score remained highly significant as an independent predictor of survival (P<0.0001). Baseline QoL is a strong independent predictor of survival in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Measurements should be routinely recorded in clinical trials to stratify cohorts and aid in trial comparison.
Maisey
N R
NR
Department of Medicine, Royal Marsden Hospital, Downs Road, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5PT, UK.
Norman
A
A
Watson
M
M
Allen
M J
MJ
Hill
M E
ME
Cunningham
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011799:Quinazolines; D013876:Thiophenes; C068874:raltitrexed; D005472:Fluorouracil