J Breast Cancer.  2013 Mar;16(1):104-111.

Evolution of Health-Related Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients during the First Year of Follow-Up

• Moro-Valdezate D
• Peiro S
• Buch-Villa E
• Caballero-Garate A
• Morales-Monsalve MD
• Martinez-Agullo A
• Checa-Ayet F
• Ortega-Serrano J

Abstract

PURPOSE
The objective of this study was to describe the evolution of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a cohort of breast cancer patients over 1 year after surgery and to analyse the predictive ability of HRQOL measurement instruments.
METHODS
Observational, multicenter and prospective study of a cohort of breast cancer patients, assessing HRQOL at 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery using three questionnaires: EuroQol-5D-3L, EORTC QLQ-C30, and EORTC QLQ-BR23.
RESULTS
A total of 364 women participated in the study. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores from the EuroQol improved (1 month vs. 1 year: 70 vs. 80; p<0.0001); however, the EuroQol score showed no significant change (0.81 vs. 0.83; p=0.1323). In contrast, Global Health Status on the EORTC QLQ-C30 improved (66.67 vs. 100.00; p<0.0001), as did all of this instrument's scales and most of its independent items. The EORTC QLQ-BR23 dimensions showed improvement, except for sexual functioning (100.00 vs. 86.67; p=0.0030) and future perspective (33.33 vs. 66.67; p<0.0001). Patients with good HRQOL outcomes at 1 month showed improved levels of HRQOL at 1 year; HRQOL measured at 1 month was predictive of HRQOL at 1 year.
CONCLUSION
HRQOL improved during the follow-up period. Likewise, HRQOL measurement instruments can predict early HRQOL.

Keyword

Breast neoplasms; Quality of life; Questionnaires

MeSH Terms

Breast
Breast Neoplasms
Cohort Studies
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Prospective Studies
Quality of Life
Weights and Measures
Surveys and Questionnaires

Figure

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  Figure 1 Evolution of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) from 1 month to 1 year after surgery. VAS=Visual Analogue Scale; EuroQol-5D-3L=European Group of Quality of Life Questionnaire; EORTC QLQ-C30=European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire 30 items.

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