Effect of Palliative Radiotherapy on Symptoms and Quality Of Life in Patients with Bone Metastases – Tertiary Care Experience

Gunaseelan K

Published on: 2024-01-11

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effect of Palliative Radiotherapy on Symptoms and Quality of Life (QOL) in patients with bone metastases using EORTC QLQC30, QLQBM22 and BPI questionnaires before radiation and 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after radiation treatment.

Methods: This is a prospective observational study done on 171 patients with bone metastases who were registered in Palliative care unit, RCC, JIPMER and who received palliative radiation treatment. They were assessed using QLQC30, QLQBM22 and BPI questionnaires at baseline (pre radiation) and 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks post radiation. The sample size was estimated at a 5% level of significance and 15% relative precision.  Their scores were expressed in median with range and statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 19.

Results: Data from 171 patients showed that Mean age of the patients was 57.6 years. Age of the patients ranged from 25 -78 years. 101 (59.3%) were males, 70 (40.7%) were females. 5.2% had some family history of malignancy in our study. 169 (98.8%) were uneducated. Most were engaged in Unskilled Occupations. Median Income in our study was INR 2000/- per month. Most of our patients (46.2%) were Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Score 3. All the functional domains and symptom domains of QLQC30 and QLQBM22 showed statistical significance except functional interference. Pain severity and pain interference scores also showed improvement with radiation with respect to time and they were also statistically significant.