Level of distress predicts subsequent survival in successfully treated head and neck cancer patients: a prospective cohort study. (February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aarstad, Hans Jørgen; Osthus, Arild Andrè; Olofsson, Jan; Aarstad, Anne K. H.
• Is Part Of: Acta oto-laryngologica. Volume 134:Number 2(2014)
• Page Start: 211
• Page End: 219
• Publication Date: 2014-02
• Subjects: Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Ear -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Throat -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Otolaryngology -- Electronic Resources; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases; 617.8
• DOI: 10.3109/00016489.2013.841989
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-6489

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Conclusion:</italic> Our findings indicate a unique survival prediction from general health questionnaire (GHQ) sum scores in successfully treated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients and also to some extent with inclusion of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores. <italic>Objective:</italic> To examine the survival prediction from the level of distress, measured by GHQ scores obtained from at inclusion successfully treated HNSCC patients. <italic>Methods:</italic> Structured interviews were conducted for 135 successfully treated cognitive functioning HNSCC patients 67 ± 31 (mean ± SD) months after diagnosis following a regular follow-up visit. GHQ scores, alcohol consumption history, smoking status, present comorbidities, level of neuroticism, choice of psychological coping with the cancer disease, and HRQoL scores (EORTC QLQ-C30 and -H&N35) were determined. The TNM stage, treatment provided and tumour site were obtained from the hospital records. Forty-three deaths were noted during a minimum 8.5 years of observation. <italic>Results:</italic> The GHQ sum scores predicted survival in univariate (<italic>p</italic> < 0.05) and multivariate analyses with the above-mentioned covariates included (<italic>p</italic> < 0.01). Using clinically relevant cut-off levels, GHQ scores predicted survival in both univariate (hazard ratio (HR) 1.9; <italic>p</italic> = 0.05) and multivariate Cox regression analyses (HR 3.8; <italic>p</italic> = 0.001). We also demonstrated survival prediction from GHQ scores when adjusted by HRQoL scores.</p> </abstract>