Quality of life findings from a multicenter, multinational, observational study of patients with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer.
BACKGROUND
The assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQL) for patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) is of paramount importance because new treatments have a modest impact on survival but side effects of treatment and disease symptoms can significantly impact HRQL.


METHODS
This was an observational, non-interventional, multi-center, multi-national cohort study of patients with metastatic HRPC. Health-related quality of life was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ C30), the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate (FACT-P) and the EQ-5D index. Mean changes from baseline to month 3, 6, and 9 were computed and tested using paired t-tests.


RESULTS
FACT-P PCS, EQ-5D index and 10 of 14 EORTC domains were statistically significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the baseline scores at the 3, 6 and 9 month visits. The domains that did not reach statistical significance were cognitive functioning, insomnia, diarrhea and financial difficulties.


CONCLUSIONS
These data demonstrate that patients with metastatic HRPC experience rapid, significant deterioration in HRQL, highlighting the need for effective palliative therapy for men with HRPC.
Sullivan
Patrick W
PW
Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research Program, University of Colorado School of Pharmacy, 4200 East Ninth Avenue, Box C238, Denver, CO, 80262, USA. Patrick.Sullivan@UCHSC.edu
Mulani
Parvez M
PM
Fishman
Mayer
M
Sleep
Darryl
D
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation; D011788:Quality of Life; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D020728:Transurethral Resection of Prostate; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology