Kathrin Milbury1, Nizar M Tannir, Lorenzo Cohen. 1. Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA. kmilbury@mdanderson.org
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patients on clinical trials often experience declining quality of life (QOL). Little is known about the psychosocial variables that buffer against decline. PURPOSE: This study aims to examine correlations between psychosocial variables and QOL over the course of a clinical trial in patients with metastatic renal cell cancer. METHODS: At baseline, 114 participants completed measures of treatment-related optimism, social support, and QOL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General). QOL was also assessed 2, 4, and 8 weeks after the start of treatment with low-dose or intermediate-dose interferon. RESULTS: QOL decreased significantly in the intermediate-dose group but not in the low-dose group (p < .01). The decline was less severe for patients who had high rather than low treatment optimism (p = .03). A higher level of social support was significantly associated with higher baseline QOL (p < .05) but a more rapid decline in QOL over time (p < .01). CONCLUSION: Treatment optimism was favorably associated with QOL.
BACKGROUND:Patients on clinical trials often experience declining quality of life (QOL). Little is known about the psychosocial variables that buffer against decline. PURPOSE: This study aims to examine correlations between psychosocial variables and QOL over the course of a clinical trial in patients with metastatic renal cell cancer. METHODS: At baseline, 114 participants completed measures of treatment-related optimism, social support, and QOL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General). QOL was also assessed 2, 4, and 8 weeks after the start of treatment with low-dose or intermediate-dose interferon. RESULTS: QOL decreased significantly in the intermediate-dose group but not in the low-dose group (p < .01). The decline was less severe for patients who had high rather than low treatment optimism (p = .03). A higher level of social support was significantly associated with higher baseline QOL (p < .05) but a more rapid decline in QOL over time (p < .01). CONCLUSION: Treatment optimism was favorably associated with QOL.
Authors: Paul K J Han; Elizabeth Scharnetzki; Eric Anderson; John DiPalazzo; Tania D Strout; Caitlin Gutheil; F Lee Lucas; Emily Edelman; Jens Rueter Journal: J Pain Symptom Manage Date: 2021-12-22 Impact factor: 3.612