Survival Prediction of Patients Who Were Terminally Ill Using the EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL Scores and Laboratory Test Values

• Published in: Palliative medicine reports Vol. 4; no. 1; pp. 202 - 207
• Main Authors: Matsumura, Chikako, Koyama, Nanako, Okuno, Kaho, Nakamura, Nobuhiko, Sako, Morito, Kurosawa, Hideo, Nomura, Takehisa, Eguchi, Yuki, Ohba, Kazuki, Yano, Yoshitaka
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 140 Huguenot Street, 3rd Floor New Rochelle, NY 10801 USA Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers 01.08.2023; Mary Ann Liebert
• Subjects: Original; palliative care; quality of life; survival prediction; symptom cluster; symptom score; terminally ill cancer patient
• ISSN: 2689-2820; 2689-2820
• DOI: 10.1089/pmr.2023.0015

Prognostics for patients with cancer is especially important for the supportive care of those who are terminally ill. We previously found that symptom scores as patient-reported outcomes (PROs)-such as dyspnea and fatigue scores-some biochemical parameters, the palliative performance scale (PPS) scores, and symptom clusters were useful prognostic factors; however, the predictability of a prognosis based on these factors remains unclear.BackgroundPrognostics for patients with cancer is especially important for the supportive care of those who are terminally ill. We previously found that symptom scores as patient-reported outcomes (PROs)-such as dyspnea and fatigue scores-some biochemical parameters, the palliative performance scale (PPS) scores, and symptom clusters were useful prognostic factors; however, the predictability of a prognosis based on these factors remains unclear.To identify appropriate three-week survival predictive factor(s), in terms of performance, in patients who were terminally ill.ObjectiveTo identify appropriate three-week survival predictive factor(s), in terms of performance, in patients who were terminally ill.We collected symptom scores as PROs using the Japanese version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 15 Palliative Care (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL).DesignWe collected symptom scores as PROs using the Japanese version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 15 Palliative Care (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL).We used data from terminally ill patients with cancer who were hospitalized at the palliative care unit of the Higashisumiyoshi-Morimoto Hospital (Osaka, Japan) from June 2018 to December 2019 (n = 130), as well as additional data obtained from the same clinical study from January to March 2020 (n = 31).Setting/SubjectsWe used data from terminally ill patients with cancer who were hospitalized at the palliative care unit of the Higashisumiyoshi-Morimoto Hospital (Osaka, Japan) from June 2018 to December 2019 (n = 130), as well as additional data obtained from the same clinical study from January to March 2020 (n = 31).To evaluate predictive performance, indices such as sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and overall accuracy were calculated.MeasurementsTo evaluate predictive performance, indices such as sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and overall accuracy were calculated.We found that the presence of a symptom cluster showed high sensitivity but low specificity and that a higher PPS value (>30) showed high specificity but low sensitivity, suggesting that these factors could provide relevant information for survival prognosis (less than or equal to three weeks).ResultsWe found that the presence of a symptom cluster showed high sensitivity but low specificity and that a higher PPS value (>30) showed high specificity but low sensitivity, suggesting that these factors could provide relevant information for survival prognosis (less than or equal to three weeks).Symptom clusters obtained from patients is important for effective supportive care of those who are terminally ill.ConclusionSymptom clusters obtained from patients is important for effective supportive care of those who are terminally ill.