1356P - Short-term quality of life changes after surgery in elderly (>65 years) patients with breast cancer using the medical outcomes study short form (MO...

Date 09 October 2016
Event ESMO 2016 Congress
Session Poster display
Topics Surgery and/or Radiotherapy of Cancer
Presenter Franco Lumachi
Citation Annals of Oncology (2016) 27 (6): 469-473. 10.1093/annonc/mdw386
Authors F. Lumachi1, L. Di Gennaro2, P. Ubiali3, S.M.M. Basso3
  • 1Department Of Surgery, Oncology & Gastroenterology, University of Padua, School of Medicine, 35128 - Padova/IT
  • 2Psichiatry, Ospedale Maggiore, 34142 - Trieste/IT
  • 3Department Of Surgery, S. Maria degli Angeli Hospital, 33170 - Pordenone/IT

Abstract

Background

Elderly patients with breast cancer (BC) usually present a reduction of their quality of life (QoL) both before and after surgery compared to younger patients. The short-form (SF-36) of the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) questionnaire has long been used in clinical practice for patient population survey and healthy policy evaluation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the postoperative health-related QoL between elderly and young patients after breast-conserving surgery in patients with early (N0) BC using the MOS-SF-36 questionnaire.

Methods

Sixty-two consecutive patients (60.8 ± 9.9 years) with confirmed pT1-2 N0 M0 BC requiring conservative surgery were prospectively enrolled in the study. There were 36 (58.1%) elderly (>65 years of age) and 26 (41.9%) nonelderly patients. Informed consent was obtained from each participant. The day before discharge after surgery, all patients were asked to report their functional limitations and health-related status by filling the following sections of the MOS-SF-36 (No. of items): bodily pain (2), emotional role functioning (3), general health perceptions (5), mental health (5), physical functioning (10), physical role functioning (4), social role functioning (2), vitality (4).

Results

The results are reported in the Table. In general, the health-related QoF after surgery was similar in both groups. However, the scores related to bodily pain (64.3 ± 21.2 vs. 53.1 ± 16.3, p = 0.03), physical functioning (66.3 ± 18.2 vs. 56.3 ± 11.7, p = 0.02) and vitality (56.7 ± 13.6 vs. 50.1 ± 8.7, p = 0.03) reported by younger patients were higher than that reported by the elderly.

Parameters ≤65 years >65 years p-value
Number of patients 36 (58.1%) 26 (41.9%) -
Median age (range) 59 (35-65) 67 (66-77) -
Bodily pain 64.3 ± 21.2 53.1 ± 16.3 0.03
Emotional role functioning 62.7 ± 18.4 60.5 ± 12.3 0.59
General health perceptions 61.6 ± 12.3 58.3 ± 11.4 0.29
Mental health 59.3 ± 16.4 57.1 ± 18.6 0.62
Physical functioning 66.3 ± 18.2 56.3 ± 11.7 0.02
Physical role functioning 72.3 ± 18.3 66.7 ± 15.4 0.21
Social role functioning 61.6 ± 19.3 59.3 ± 14.1 0.61
Vitality 56.7 ± 13.6 50.1 ± 8.7 0.03

Conclusions

The elderly are more sensitive to physical pain and exhibit a reduced vitality after surgery than younger patients. It can be hypothesized that they are worried by the problems that will occur after discharge.

Legal entity responsible for the study

University of Padua

Funding

University of Padua

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.