Quality of life issues in patients with bone metastases: A systematic review

Thenugaa Rajeswaran, Henry C.Y. Wong, Elwyn Zhang, Samantha K.F. Kennedy, Milena Gojsevic, Hany Soliman, Vassilios Vassiliou, Dirk Rades, Pierluigi Bonomo, Shing Fung Lee, Adrian Wai Chan, Agata Rembielak, Eva Oldenburger, Ernesto Maranzano, Stefano Pergolizzi, Joel A. Finkelstein, Jeremie Larouche, Na Zhang, Xiaojing Zhang, Gustavo N. MartaAlbert J.M. Yee, Shengji Yu, Joanne M. van der Velden, Yvette M. van der Linden, Edward Chow*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Introduction: Bones are frequent sites of metastatic disease, observed in 30–75% of advanced cancer patients. Quality of life (QoL) is an important endpoint in studies evaluating the treatments of bone metastases (BM), and many patient-reported outcome tools are available. The primary objective of this systematic review was to compile a list of QoL issues relevant to BM and its interventions. The secondary objective was to identify common tools used to assess QoL in patients with BM, and the QoL issues they fail to address. Methods: A search was conducted on Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases between 1946 and 27 January 2023 with the keywords “bone metastases”, “quality of life”, and “patient reported outcomes”. Specific QoL issues in original research studies and the QoL tools used were extracted. Results: The review identified the QoL issues most prevalent to BM in the literature. Physical and functional issues observed in patients included pain, interference with ambulation and daily activities, and fatigue. Psychological symptoms, such as helplessness, depression, and anxiety were also common. These issues interfered with patients’ relationships and social activities. Items not mentioned in existing QoL tools were related to newer treatments of BM, such as pain flare, flu-like symptoms, and jaw pain due to osteonecrosis. Conclusions: This systematic review highlights that QoL issues for patients with BM have expanded over time due to advances in BM-directed treatments. If they are relevant, additional treatment-related QoL issues identified need to be validated prospectively by patients and added to current assessment tools.

Original languageEnglish
Article number18
Number of pages13
JournalSupportive Care in Cancer
Volume32
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2024

Keywords

  • Patient-reported outcome measures
  • Quality of life
  • Secondary bone neoplasms
  • Systematic review

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