Research Article

Deterioration of Health-Related Quality of Life Scores under Treatment Predicts Longer Survival

Table 2

Analysis of QoL scores. Figures quoted in parts i-v describe baseline scores. First value: group favourable HRQoL (higher QOL)/second value: group adverse HRQoL (lower QOL). The median scores were used as cut-off-points. Figures quoted in parts vi-x describe change scores. First value: group favourable HRQoL (better scores after therapy than baseline)/second value: group adverse HRQoL (equal or worse scores after therapy than baseline).

Baseline scoreChange score
iiiiiiivvviviiviiiixx
Median
score (QoL)
nMedian OS
(months)
4-year OS (%)Log-rank
value
Median score
(QoL)
nMedian OS
(months)
4-year
OS (%)
Log- rank
value

Functional scales
 Physical functioning93.3/60.0168/232<80/6371.4/54.9<0.00173.3/86.7100/143<76/-67.5/650.400
 Role functioning100/33.3135/262<76/<8460.6/63.60.69050.0/66.7113/123<70/<80>59.1/74.20.027
 Emotional functioning83.3/41.7189/20870-310/6467.0/57.70.12258.3/75.0138/86-/70>61/66.50.700
 Cognitive functioning100/66.7178/21976/7064.9/60.20.56083.3/83.3161/7976/52-31070.1/64.90.820
 Social functioning100/50.0130/267-/7663.2/62.10.90050.0/66.7131/9270/<8065.2/>62.80.600
 Global health status66.67/33.3190/20680-310/6368.9/55.6<0.00350.0/66.7121/117<70/<31060.7/75.50.018
Symptom scales
 Fatigue22.2/66.7237/16376/<6368.5/52.8<0.000144.4/33.3110/13270/<310>62.5/70.70.137
 Pain0/50.0212/186<76/6369.6/54.4<0.01833.3/0136/105<70/-57.3/83.5<0.0001
 Appetite loss0/66.7224/174<70/<7666.9/55.70.1020/0138/98<70/76-31063.5/74.30.113
 Insomnia0/66.7265/13080/6366.4/52.80.10333.3/0167/70<76/<31065.5/<76.30.142
 Nausea and vomiting0/33.3300/98<76/6364.3/54.80.1980/0137/8776/6268.2/>55.90.189
 Dyspnoea0/33.3209/186-/<7062.0/>60.70.4500/0170/53<76/62-8067.2/>51.90.290
 Constipation0/33.3264/133<80/<7664.1/>56.70.0900/0141/8276/-65.3/>58.80.420
 Diarrhoea0/33.3267/128<76/7058.1/>68.50.1400/0160/78<76/-67.4/70.20.220
 Financial difficulties0/66.7221/172<70/<31061.1/64.50.1140/0185/3676/-65.9/<71.60.560