The impact of hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis on patients' health‐related quality of life. (18th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Verma, Manisha; Paik, James M.; Younossi, Issah; Tan, Daisong; Abdelaal, Hala; Younossi, Zobair M.
• Is Part Of: Cancer medicine. Volume 10:Number 18(2021)
• Page Start: 6273
• Page End: 6281
• Publication Date: 2021-08-18
• Subjects: hepatocellular carcinoma -- quality of life; 616.994005
• DOI: 10.1002/cam4.4166
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-7634

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Patients with hepatocellular cancer (HCC) are known to have worse health‐related quality of life (HRQL) than the general population. However, the change in HRQL from before the diagnosis to after diagnosis remains unknown and is difficult to estimate. We aimed to compare HCC cases with matched controls to evaluate the differences in change in HRQL from before to after HCC diagnosis. Methods: We performed propensity score‐matched analysis using the self‐reported HRQL data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries (SEER) data linked with Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (MHOS) data (1998–2014). Cases were selected as Medicare beneficiaries (aged ≥65 years) who were diagnosed with HCC between their baseline assessment and follow‐up assessment. Matched controls were selected from the same data resource and the same time period to include subjects without cancer diagnosis by propensity scores. HRQL was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form‐36 (SF‐36). Results: The study included 62 subjects who developed HCC and 365 matched controls. Compared to their baseline HRQL scores, after diagnosis of HCC, subjects were more likely to report declines in scores related to the mental component of HRQL. When stratified by time since diagnosis, mental component remained significantly lower as the disease advanced. In contrast, only general health aspects of physical health worsened after HCC diagnosis. Conclusions: Diagnosis of HCC has a profound negative impact on patients' HRQL. Mental health component deteriorated significantly over time. The need of including mental health services within a multidisciplinary HCC care model is clearly evident. Abstract : Patients with hepatocellular cancer are known to have worse quality of life (QOL), and the change in QOL from before the diagnosis to after diagnosis remains unknown. We report the change in QOL post‐diagnosis, as this information can inform clinicians on what to expect.