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Supportive Care in Cancer
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer 3/2013

01-03-2013 | Original Article

Health-related quality of life and inflammatory markers in malignant pleural mesothelioma

Authors: Steven C. Kao, Janette Vardy, Rozelle Harvie, Mark Chatfield, Nico van Zandwijk, Stephen Clarke, Nick Pavlakis

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 3/2013

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Abstract

Purpose

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a highly aggressive and symptomatic disease. We examined the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and inflammatory markers, and the prognostic role of HRQoL in MPM patients.

Methods

MPM patients from two parallel phase II studies (thalidomide alone or thalidomide with chemotherapy) were included. HRQoL was assessed at baseline using the modified Lung Cancer Symptom Scale (LCSS). Baseline inflammatory markers and cytokines were measured. Spearman correlation was used to examine the relationship between inflammatory markers and HRQoL measures. The prognostic value of the HRQoL domains was examined using Cox proportional hazard model.

Results

Sixty-three patients were included: median age 61 years (range 44–79); 82 % male; 77 % Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0–1; 44 % epithelial histology subtype. Baseline systemic symptoms of anorexia and fatigue, the summation symptoms of overall symptomatic distress, interference with normal activity and global QoL and the aggregate score of total LCSS score were all associated with elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein and vascular endothelial growth factor levels at baseline (rho ≥ 0.25; p < 0.05). Baseline anorexia, fatigue, cough, dyspnoea, pain, overall symptomatic distress, interference with normal activity, global QoL and total LCSS score were all significantly related to survival (p < 0.05) after adjusting for established prognostic factors (age, gender, histological subtype and performance status) and treatment effect.

Conclusions

In conclusion, HRQoL seems to relate to a patient's systemic inflammatory status and is associated with survival in MPM patients.
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Metadata
Title
Health-related quality of life and inflammatory markers in malignant pleural mesothelioma
Authors
Steven C. Kao
Janette Vardy
Rozelle Harvie
Mark Chatfield
Nico van Zandwijk
Stephen Clarke
Nick Pavlakis
Publication date
01-03-2013
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 3/2013
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-012-1569-6

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