Karolina Vlckova1,2, Kristyna Polakova3,4, Anna Tuckova3,5, Adam Houska3,6, Martin Loucka3,4. 1. Center for Palliative Care, Dykova 15, Prague, 110 00, Czech Republic. k.vlckova@paliativnicentrum.cz. 2. First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. k.vlckova@paliativnicentrum.cz. 3. Center for Palliative Care, Dykova 15, Prague, 110 00, Czech Republic. 4. Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. 5. Faculty of Social Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. 6. First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Despite the current guidelines supporting open communication about serious news, the evidence about the impact of prognostic awareness on the quality of life in cancer patients is not clear. The aim of this study was to assess the association between quality of life and prognostic awareness in patients with advanced cancer. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study which involved patients (n = 129) with incurable advanced cancer (estimated by oncologist using 12-month surprise question). Data were collected at oncology departments at 3 hospitals using structured interview in which patients were asked about their quality of life (using Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale-IPOS and a single-item global measure), prognostic awareness, information needs and demographics. RESULTS: Only 16% of the sample was completely aware of prognosis and 57% was partially aware. Accurate prognostic awareness was significantly associated (p = 0.02) with lower level of quality of life between (when measured by both the IPOS and the single-item scale) patients with accurate prognostic awareness (M = 37.1; 10.4) and partially aware (M = 31.9; 9.1) and unaware patients (M = 30; 7.4). Detailed analysis showed that significant difference between groups was found only for physical symptoms subscales (p = 0.002), not for emotional and communication subscales. CONCLUSION: Prognostic awareness was found to be negatively associated with physical domain of quality of life, but not with emotional and communication domains. More research is needed on personality factors that might influence the development of prognostic awareness and quality of life.
PURPOSE: Despite the current guidelines supporting open communication about serious news, the evidence about the impact of prognostic awareness on the quality of life in cancer patients is not clear. The aim of this study was to assess the association between quality of life and prognostic awareness in patients with advanced cancer. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study which involved patients (n = 129) with incurable advanced cancer (estimated by oncologist using 12-month surprise question). Data were collected at oncology departments at 3 hospitals using structured interview in which patients were asked about their quality of life (using Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale-IPOS and a single-item global measure), prognostic awareness, information needs and demographics. RESULTS: Only 16% of the sample was completely aware of prognosis and 57% was partially aware. Accurate prognostic awareness was significantly associated (p = 0.02) with lower level of quality of life between (when measured by both the IPOS and the single-item scale) patients with accurate prognostic awareness (M = 37.1; 10.4) and partially aware (M = 31.9; 9.1) and unaware patients (M = 30; 7.4). Detailed analysis showed that significant difference between groups was found only for physical symptoms subscales (p = 0.002), not for emotional and communication subscales. CONCLUSION: Prognostic awareness was found to be negatively associated with physical domain of quality of life, but not with emotional and communication domains. More research is needed on personality factors that might influence the development of prognostic awareness and quality of life.
Authors: Allison J Applebaum; Elissa A Kolva; Julia R Kulikowski; Jordana D Jacobs; Antonio DeRosa; Wendy G Lichtenthal; Megan E Olden; Barry Rosenfeld; William Breitbart Journal: J Health Psychol Date: 2013-10-24
Authors: Alaka Ray; Susan D Block; Robert J Friedlander; Baohui Zhang; Paul K Maciejewski; Holly G Prigerson Journal: J Palliat Med Date: 2006-12 Impact factor: 2.947
Authors: Karen Hancock; Josephine M Clayton; Sharon M Parker; Sharon Wal der; Phyllis N Butow; Sue Carrick; David Currow; Davina Ghersi; Paul Glare; Rebecca Hagerty; Martin H N Tattersall Journal: Palliat Med Date: 2007-09 Impact factor: 4.762