title: Quality of Life in Spanish advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients: determinants of global QL and survival analyses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper studies the Quality of Life (QL) of Spanish advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving platinum-doublet chemotherapy, compares our results with those from studies from other cultural areas, and identifies factors associated with global QL and survival prognostic variables.
  
  
  METHODS
  EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-LC13 questionnaires were completed three times by 39 patients along treatment and follow-up. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to study global QL determinants (≤50 points considered low global-QL score). Analyses of prognostic variables for death were performed (Cox proportional hazards models).
  
  
  RESULTS
  QL mean scores in the whole sample were moderately high, with limitations (>30) in physical, role, social functioning, emotional areas, fatigue, pain, neuropathy and global QL. Differences with studies from other cultural areas were mainly found in the lower score for dyspnoea (≥15 points). There were no significant differences in QL scores between the first and second assessments. In six areas, the third assessment was lower than the first and second: fatigue, hair loss (>20 points); physical, social functioning, neuropathy (10-20 points); emotional functioning (5-10 points). The best model to explain the chances of low QL includes, as explanatory variables, high emotional functioning as protective factor and fatigue as risk factor (R(2) = 0.70). Eight QL areas (four pain-related) and performance status showed a statistically significant association with survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients adapted well to their disease and treatments. Platinum-doublet can be administered in advanced NSCLC patients. Our QL data are in line with those from other cultural areas.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Department, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Irunlarrea 3, 31008 Pamplona, Spain ; Radiotherapeutic Oncology Department, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Irunlarrea 3, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan Ignacio
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Arraras
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Department, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Irunlarrea 3, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Berta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hernandez
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Department, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Irunlarrea 3, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Maite
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciencias, Universidad Pública de Navarra - UPNA, Campus de Arrosadía, 31006 Pamplona, Navarra Spain ; Red de Investigación en Servicios Sanitarios en Enfermedades Crónicas (REDISSEC), Fundación Miguel Servet-NavarraBiomed, Irunlarrea 3, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Koldo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cambra
authors.affiliation: Radiotherapeutic Oncology Department, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Irunlarrea 3, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Mikel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rico
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Department, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Irunlarrea 3, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Jose Juan
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Illarramendi
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Department, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Irunlarrea 3, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Viudez
authors.affiliation: Red de Investigación en Servicios Sanitarios en Enfermedades Crónicas (REDISSEC), Fundación Miguel Servet-NavarraBiomed, Irunlarrea 3, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Berta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ibañez
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Department, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Irunlarrea 3, 31008 Pamplona, Spain ; Radiotherapeutic Oncology Department, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Irunlarrea 3, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Uxue
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Zarandona
authors.affiliation: Radiotherapeutic Oncology Department, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Irunlarrea 3, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Department, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Irunlarrea 3, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vera
keywords: Advanced; Determinants; Lung cancer; Quality of Life; Survival