title: Determinants of quality of life in ovarian cancer survivors: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ovarian cancer treatments and outcomes vary substantially, yielding a diverse group of survivors. Few data exist on quality of life (QoL) concerns and the foremost needs of these patients. Our goal was to conduct a pilot study to determine the QoL needs of ovarian cancer survivors to establish priorities for future interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-C30 and OV28) QoL questionnaires and one investigator-derived questionnaire were administered in an outpatient setting. Clinical parameters were abstracted and tested for associations with QoL measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 102 women consented to participate and completed all components. Their mean age was 58 years (range 29 to 85), with 80% having epithelial ovarian carcinoma and 66% high-grade serous carcinoma. Women with stage I (28%), II (15%), III (47%), and IV (10%) lesions were represented in the primary treatment (25%), surveillance (46%), recurrent (23%), and palliative (7%) phases of the survivorship continuum. Fifty-one percent characterized their disease burden as "quite a bit" or "very much," and this did not vary by histology or diagnoses. Global QoL did not vary by clinico-pathologic parameters. Cardiovascular and respiratory comorbidities were associated with EORTC scores in physical functioning (P=0.027 for cardiovascular and P=0.041 for respiratory), global QoL (P=0.03 for cardiovascular and P=0.039 for respiratory), and sexual health (P=0.025 for cardiovascular). Task completion/memory/concentration, anxiety, and fatigue were the distress categories given highest priority by respondents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In women with ovarian cancer, clinical factors such as age, stage, and histology did not have a significant impact on QoL. Psychosocial factors have a larger impact on global QoL than physical symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC.
authors.forename: Flora F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Teng
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC.
authors.forename: Steve E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Kalloger
authors.affiliation: Division of Gynaecologic Specialties, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC.
authors.forename: Lori
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brotto
authors.affiliation: Division of Gynaecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC.
authors.forename: Jessica N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: McAlpine
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: EORTC QLQ-C30; OV-28; ovarian cancer; quality of life; survivorship