Outcomes of maximal androgen blockade in prostate cancer patients at a health area with type 2 reference hospital. Part 2. Quality of life: application of EORTC QLQ-PR25 instrument and global results. Quality-of-life adjusted survival. Pharmaceutical expenses and cost-utility.
OBJECTIVE
To study quality of life in patients from the health area of Zamora diagnosed of prostate adenocarcinoma between 2000-2005 treated with maximal androgen blockade (MAB). To evaluate the pharmacoeconomics of the treatment.


METHODS
Basal, 12-month, 24-month and 36-month application of the health-related quality of life measurement instrument EORTC QLQ-C30 to the population sample (n= 111), as well as a control sample (n= 100). Comparative study of outcomes: between groups; between different time measurements in MAB patients; and inter-categories/ -intervals of some variables in patients with hormonal deprivation therapy (third year of follow-up). Analysis of health-related quality of life global outcomes (QLQ-C30 + QLQ-PR25). Description of the pharmaceutical expenses in androgen blockade patients. Cost-utility analysis by means of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) obtained using preference-based weighted index from the EUROQOL 5-D tool.


RESULTS
Hot flushes and sexual field worsening as mean expressions related to hormonal suppression. Treated patients had worse subjective perception of health condition and quality of life, in opposition to non-tumoral individuals. Positive bone scan, was a negative-influence factor on quality of life. Most patients undergoing MAB needed cost-utility figures of less than 5000 Euros/ QALY.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a negative initial repercussion of MAB on quality of life, although tinged according to the different fields studied. The economic impact of this therapy on overall pharmaceutical expenses is relative.
Guerra
Nicolas Alberto Cruz
NA
Department of Urology , Complejo Asistencial de Zamora, Zamora, España. ncruz_g@hotmail.com
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000401:mortality; D000368:Aged; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000401:mortality; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000726:Androgen Antagonists