title: Comparison of health-related quality of life and exercise capacity according to stages in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study is to compare the exercise capacity and health-related quality of life parameters according to stages of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-two patients (who are able to ambulate independently) with stage I-II (group early-stage, n= 17) and stage IIIA-IV NSCLC (group advanced-stage, n= 35) were included. Exercise capacity (six minute walking test), strength of the peripheral muscle (Back and Leg Dynamometer), performance status (Karnofsky performance status scale), health-related quality of life- HRQOL (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of life measure and Short Form-36 Health Survey), depression and anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No difference was found in age, body mass index, respiratory symptoms and the distribution of disease cell types between two groups (p> 0.05). In advanced-stage group, pulmonary function test values, peripheral muscle strength, walking distance and health-related quality of life scores especially the categories of functional capacity and pain were established significantly lower compared to early-stage group (p ≤ 0.05). Depression and anxiety levels were confirmed to be similar between groups (p> 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The exercise capacity of patients with advanced-stage NSCLC is lower due to reduced pulmonary functions and peripheral muscle strength compared to patients with early-stage NSCLC. Therefore, we can conclude that reduced exercise capacity negatively impacts functional categories of health related quality of life of patients with advanced-stage NSCLC.
authors.affiliation: Dokuz Eylul University School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Elvan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yılmaz
authors.forename: Sevgi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Özalevli
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ersöz
authors.forename: Ayşe
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yeğin
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Önen
authors.forename: Atilla
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akkoçlu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology; D001823:Body Composition; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology