Determinants of Cancer-specific Quality of Life in Veteran Lung Cancer Survivors Eligible for Long-Term Cure

Abstract

words) Rationale/ObjectiveQuality of life (QoL) is an important issue in lung cancer survivors. We aimed to identify determinants of QoL in lung cancer survivors eligible for long-term cure. MethodsWe performed an exploratory analysis of a cross-sectional study of consecutive lung cancer survivors who completed curative-intent treatment ≥1 month previously. Variables tested included demographic, clinical, physiologic, and symptom-specific patient-reported outcome measures. We defined the primary outcome as a previously-validated cancer-specific QoL measurethe European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL Questionnaire Core 30 (C30) summary score. We also verified our findings with the C30 global health status/QoL subscale and a summated score of lung cancer-specific QoL from the EORTC-Lung Cancer Module 13. ResultsIn 75 enrolled participants, measures of fatigue, depression, sleep difficulties, and dyspnea were statistically significant determinants of the C30 summary score in multivariable linear regression analyses. Together, these four symptoms accounted for approximately randomized clinical trial; SD = standard deviation; SOBQ = University California San Diego Shortness of Breath Questionnaire; US = United States; UVA = univariable linear regression analysis; VASDHS = VA San Diego Healthcare System