Comparison of baseline quality of life scores in patients with bone and brain metastases as assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30

In advanced cancer patients, quality of life (QOL) is often a more meaningful clinical endpoint as patients often have shorter life expectancies and treatment intent is palliative in nature. Since 1993, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core 30 Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) has been widely used to study cancer-specific health-related quality of life. This study seeks to compare EORTC QLQ-C30 scores in patients with bone and brain metastases. Methods: The EORTC QLQ-C30 was used to assess QOL internationally in patients with bone metastases. A univariate linear regression model (GLM) was applied to detect significant differences between both groups on each QLQ-C30 scale at baseline. To normalize the distribution, natural log-transformations were applied for each C30 summary scale. Results: KPS, gender, marital status, and primary cancer site were found to be significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.005). After accounting for these confounding factors, three EORTC-C30 scales found to be significantly different between patients with bone and brain metastases: physical functioning (p < 0.0001), role functioning (p < 0.0004), and pain scale (p < 0.0001). Bone metastases patients reported worse pain and physical functioning, while brain metastases exhibited greater role functioning deficits. Conclusion: Patients with bone metastases have more pain and reduced physical functioning. However, patients with brain metastases have more severe role functioning deficits. The use of disease-specific assessment modules such as the QLQ-BM22 and QLQ-BN20 will enhance the capture of relevant QOL in these populations. © Nova Science Publishers, Inc.