B Bestmann1, T Kollakowski, L Weissbach. 1. Wissenschaftliches Institut der Techniker Krankenkasse für Nutzen und Effizienz im Gesundheitswesen, Hamburg, Deutschland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The HAROW project was founded by the Stiftung Männergesundheit to have a closer look at the situation of patients who suffer from prostate cancer, especially focusing on their situation regarding supply and services. METHODS: In the current study 504 members of support groups were asked about their health-related quality of life (QOL). Standardized questionnaires were used to ensure the validation. Both the diagnosis and initial therapy dated back at least 12 months. The EORTC QLQ-C30 as well as the prostate-specific module (PSM) were used as questionnaires. RESULTS: Various forms of therapies proved to have different impacts on QOL. Patients with a combined hormonal therapy and radiation therapy evaluated their QOL worse than others with different forms of therapies. Patients with cured tumors reported significantly better data than those in the middle of therapy or the uncured. CONCLUSION: The data even indicate that their QOL is similar to people living under normal circumstances and health situations. Particular characteristics however exist on specific scales. Patients attending support groups show surprisingly high values for QOL.
BACKGROUND: The HAROW project was founded by the Stiftung Männergesundheit to have a closer look at the situation of patients who suffer from prostate cancer, especially focusing on their situation regarding supply and services. METHODS: In the current study 504 members of support groups were asked about their health-related quality of life (QOL). Standardized questionnaires were used to ensure the validation. Both the diagnosis and initial therapy dated back at least 12 months. The EORTC QLQ-C30 as well as the prostate-specific module (PSM) were used as questionnaires. RESULTS: Various forms of therapies proved to have different impacts on QOL. Patients with a combined hormonal therapy and radiation therapy evaluated their QOL worse than others with different forms of therapies. Patients with cured tumors reported significantly better data than those in the middle of therapy or the uncured. CONCLUSION: The data even indicate that their QOL is similar to people living under normal circumstances and health situations. Particular characteristics however exist on specific scales. Patients attending support groups show surprisingly high values for QOL.
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