The health-related quality of life of sarcoma patients and survivors in germany—cross-sectional results of a nationwide observational study (Prosa)

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • PROSa Study Group - (Author)

Abstract

Sarcomas are rare cancers with high heterogeneity in terms of type, location, and treatment. The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of sarcoma patients has rarely been investigated and is the subject of this analysis. Adult sarcoma patients and survivors were assessed between September 2017 and February 2019 in 39 study centers in Germany using standardized, validated questionnaires (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30)). Associated factors were analyzed exploratively using multivariable linear regressions. Among 1113 patients, clinically important limitations and symptoms were most pronounced in emotional (63%, 95% CI 60–66%), physical (60%, 95% CI 57–62%), role functioning (51%, 95% CI 48–54%), and pain (56%, 95% CI 53–59%) and fatigue (51%, 95% CI 48–54%). HRQoL differed between tumor locations with lower extremities performing the worst and sarcoma types with bone sarcoma types being most affected. Additionally, female gender, higher age, lower socioeconomic status, recurrent disease, not being in retirement, comorbidities, and being in treatment were associated with lower HRQoL. Sarcoma patients are severely restricted in their HRQoL, especially in functioning scales. The heterogeneity of sarcomas with regard to type and location is reflected in HRQoL outcomes. During treatment and follow-up, close attention has to be paid to the reintegration of the patients into daily life as well as to their physical abilities and emotional distress.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number3590
Pages (from-to)1-19
Number of pages19
JournalCancers
Volume12
Issue number12
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2020
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0001-9654-2207/work/142254152

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Clinically important restrictions and symptoms, Health-related quality of life, Observational study, Rare disease, Sarcoma