Dataset Information

The "Palliative Care Quality of Life Instrument (PQLI)" in terminal cancer patients.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: This paper describes the development of a new quality of life instrument in advanced cancer patients receiving palliative care. METHODS: The Palliative Care Quality of Life Instrument incorporates six multi-item and one single-item scale. The questionnaire was completed at baseline and one-week after. The final sample consisted of 120 patients. RESULTS: The average time required to complete the questionnaire, in both time points, was approximately 8 minutes. All multi-item scales met the minimal standards for reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficient > or =.70) either before or during palliative treatment. Test-retest reliability in terms of Spearman-rho coefficient was also satisfactory (p < 0.05). Validity was demonstrated by inter-item correlations, comparisons with ECOG performance status, factor analysis, criterion-related validation, and correlations with the Assessment of Quality of Life in Palliative Care Instrument (AQEL), and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30, version 3.0). CONCLUSION: The PQLI is a reliable and valid measure for the assessment of quality of life in patients with advanced stage cancer.

SUBMITTER: Mystakidou K

PROVIDER: S-EPMC368445 | biostudies-literature | 2004

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

The "Palliative Care Quality of Life Instrument (PQLI)" in terminal cancer patients.

Mystakidou Kyriaki K Tsilika Eleni E Kouloulias Vassilios V Parpa Efi E Katsouda Emmanuela E Kouvaris John J Vlahos Lambros L

Health and quality of life outcomes 20040212

<h4>Background</h4>This paper describes the development of a new quality of life instrument in advanced cancer patients receiving palliative care.<h4>Methods</h4>The Palliative Care Quality of Life Instrument incorporates six multi-item and one single-item scale. The questionnaire was completed at baseline and one-week after. The final sample consisted of 120 patients.<h4>Results</h4>The average time required to complete the questionnaire, in both time points, was approximately 8 minutes. All mu ...[more]

PMID: 14962348

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundPeople with advanced cancer experience multiple symptoms during their illness trajectory, which can fluctuate in intensity.AimTo describe the course of self-reported quality of life, emotional functioning, physical functioning and symptom intensity over time in cancer patients receiving palliative care.DesignLongitudinal study with monthly assessments, using the EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL. Data were analysed (1) prospectively, from baseline to ≥8-month follow-up; and (2) retrospectively, by taking death as index date and comparing results from three cross-sectional subsamples at different stages of illness (time to death ≥6, 5-3 and 2-0 months). Linear mixed models were calculated.Setting/participantsA total of 1739 patients (mean age 66, 50% male) from 30 palliative care centers in 12 countries were included.ResultsIn prospective analyses, quality of life, functioning and symptoms-except nausea/vomiting-remained generally stable over time. In retrospective analyses, patients 2-0 months before death reported significantly lower quality of life and physical functioning scores than those 5-3 months before death, who in turn scored lower than those ≥6 months before death, suggesting progressive decline. Emotional functioning remained initially unchanged, but decreased in the last months. Pain, fatigue and appetite loss showed a stable increase in intensity towards death. Dyspnea, insomnia and constipation increased from 5-3 to 2-0 months before death. Nausea/vomiting only increased when comparing those ≥6 months before death with those 2-0 months before death.ConclusionWhile the prospective approach showed predominantly stable patterns for quality of life, functioning and symptom severity throughout study duration, retrospective analyses indicated that deterioration was already apparent before the terminal phase and accelerated close to death. Our findings support the importance of early symptom identification and treatment in this population, and highlight the need for further studies to explore what characterizes those with either lower or higher symptom burden at different time points towards death.

Dataset Information

The "Palliative Care Quality of Life Instrument (PQLI)" in terminal cancer patients.

Publications

The "Palliative Care Quality of Life Instrument (PQLI)" in terminal cancer patients.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets