Health-related quality of life is a prognostic factor for survival in older patients after colorectal cancer diagnosis: A population-based study.
BACKGROUND
Studies carried out in the context of clinical trials have shown a relationship between survival and health-related quality of life in colorectal cancer patients.


OBJECTIVE
We assessed the prognostic value of health-related quality of life at diagnosis and of its longitudinal evolution on survival in older colorectal cancer patients.


METHODS
All patients aged ≥65 years, diagnosed with new colorectal cancer between 2003 and 2005 and registered in the Digestive Cancer Registry of Burgundy were eligible. Patients were asked to complete the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 at inclusion, three, six and twelve months after. Multivariate regression models were used to evaluate the prognostic value of health-related quality of life scores at diagnosis and their deterioration on relative survival.


RESULTS
In multivariate analysis, a role functioning dimension lower than median was predictive of lower survival (hazard ratio=3.1, p=0.015). After three and six months of follow-up, patients with greater appetite loss were more likely to die, with hazard ratios of 4.7 (p=0.013) and 3.7 (p=0.002), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Health-related quality of life assessments at diagnosis are independently associated with older colorectal cancer patients' survival. Its preservation should be a major management goal for older cancer patients.
Doubs and Belfort Territory Cancer Registry, EA3181, University Hospital of Besancon, Besançon, France. Electronic address: efournier@chu-besancon.fr.
Evelyne
E
Fournier
Burgundy Digestive Cancer Registry, Inserm U866, University of Burgundy, University Hospital of Dijon, Dijon, France.
Valérie
V
Jooste
Doubs and Belfort Territory Cancer Registry, EA3181, University Hospital of Besancon, Besançon, France.
Anne-Sophie
AS
Woronoff
Oncogeriatric Coordination Units, Geriatric Unit of Champmaillot, University Hospital of Dijon, Dijon, France.
Valérie
V
Quipourt
Burgundy Digestive Cancer Registry, Inserm U866, University of Burgundy, University Hospital of Dijon, Dijon, France.
Anne-Marie
AM
Bouvier
University of Franche-Comté, EA3181, Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, University Hospital of Besancon, Besançon, France; National Quality of Life in Oncology Platform, Besançon, France.
Mariette
M
Mercier
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001066:Appetite; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015996:Survival Rate
Cancer registries; Elderly patients; Patient report outcome; Prognostic factors