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Quality of life and symptom burden improve in patients attending a multidisciplinary clinical service for cancer cachexia : A retrospective observational review
Bland, Kelcey A. Harrison, Meg Harrison, Meg Zopf, Eva M. Sousa, Mariana S. Currow, David C. Ely, Matthew Agar, Meera Butcher, Belinda E. Vaughan, Vanessa
Bland, Kelcey A.
Harrison, Meg
Harrison, Meg
Zopf, Eva M.
Sousa, Mariana S.
Currow, David C.
Ely, Matthew
Agar, Meera
Butcher, Belinda E.
Vaughan, Vanessa
Abstract
Background
Cancer cachexia negatively affects quality of life (QoL) and increases symptom burden. A multimodal treatment approach may optimize cachexia outcomes, including QoL. We evaluated QoL and symptoms over time among patients attending a multidisciplinary clinical service for cancer cachexia.
Methods
Adults with cancer who attended the clinical service three times between 2017 and 2020 were included. Quality of life and symptoms were assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of life Questionnaire Core 15 Palliative Care (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL) and the Functional Assessment Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy (FAACT) questionnaires. Physical function was assessed using the 30s sit-to-stand test and handgrip strength.
Results
Overall, 162 patients (age = 67.2 ± 12.0 years) were included. Mean six-month weight loss at baseline was 10.4% ± 9.4%. Mean body weight was stable between clinic visits (P = 0.904) and no change in sit-to-stand repetitions (P = 0.133) or handgrip strength (P = 0.734) occurred over time. Improvements in EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL overall QoL (Δ10.7 ± 2.5, P < 0.001), physical function (Δ8.0 ± 2.4, P = 0.003) and emotional function (Δ11.4 ± 2.9, P < 0.001) occurred by the second visit. EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL fatigue (Δ13.8 ± 2.9, P < 0.001), pain (Δ10.3 ± 3.3, P = 0.007), nausea/vomiting (Δ16.1 ± 3.0, P < 0.001) and appetite symptoms (Δ25.9 ± 3.8, P < 0.001) also improved by the second visit. FAACT total score (Δ14.6 ± 2.7, P < 0.001), anorexia-cachexia symptoms (Δ6.6 ± 1.1, P< 0.001), and physical (Δ3.7 ± 0.70, P < 0.001), emotional (Δ1.9 ± 0.60, P = 0.005) and functional wellbeing (Δ2.7 ± 0.71, P = 0.001) improved by the second visit. All improvements in EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL and FAACT outcomes were maintained at the third visit.
Conclusion
Significant improvements in QoL and symptoms were associated with attending a cancer cachexia clinical service. Our findings support using multidisciplinary, multimodal cancer cachexia treatment approaches to improve patient wellbeing.
Keywords
palliative care, cachexia, quality of life, multidisciplinary, multimodal treatment
Date
2021
Type
Journal article
Journal
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
Book
Volume
62
Issue
3
Page Range
e164-e176
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research
Faculty of Health Sciences
Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled