Relationship between symptom burden and health status: analysis of the MDASI-BT and EQ-5D. Issue 1 (4th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vera, Elizabeth; Acquaye, Alvina A; Mendoza, Tito R; Gilbert, Mark R; Armstrong, Terri S
• Is Part Of: Neuro-oncology practice. Volume 5:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 56
• Page End: 63
• Publication Date: 2017-07-04
• Subjects: EQ-5D -- health status -- MDASI-BT -- symptom burden; Brain -- Tumors -- Periodicals; Brain -- Cancer -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Cancer -- Periodicals; 616.99481005
• DOI: 10.1093/nop/npx010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2054-2577

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Patients with glioma are highly symptomatic and often have functional limitations from the time of diagnosis. Measuring health status may have value in determining impact of disease. This study provided a description of health status and utility scores in glioma patients throughout the illness trajectory using the EQ-5D (a functional measure of general health status). Furthermore, it evaluated the information provided by the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Brain Tumor (MDASI-BT; a measure of symptom burden and interference) in describing health-related quality of life as assessed by the EQ-5D. Methods: Glioma patients completed the EQ-5D and MDASI-BT. Disease and clinical details were collected by medical record review. Linear regression evaluated whether MDASI-BT scores adequately predict patient health outcomes measured by the EQ-5D. Results: The sample included 100 patients (65% male, 78% with a glioblastoma, median age 52 [range, 20–75], 56% in active treatment). Seventy-two percent of patients reported functional limitations in at least 1 area. Extreme cases reported inability to perform usual activities (8%) and significant anxiety/depression (5%). The MDASI-BT neurologic factor and activity-related interference (walking/activity/work) explained 52% of the variability in the EQ-5D in this patient population while adjusting for the effect of tumor grade, recurrence status, and performance status. Conclusions: The majority of glioma patients reported at least 1 functional limitation on the EQ-5D. Over half of the variance in the EQ-5D was explained by the MDASI-BT, performance status, tumor grade, and recurrence status. The resultant model demonstrates the significant contribution of symptom burden on health status in glioma patients.