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547 Background: The National Cancer Institute of Canada CO17 study, which showed that patients with advanced colorectal cancer had improved overall survival and derived health related quality of life benefits (measured with EORTC QLQ C30) when treated with cetuximab, collected health preferences with HUI3 prospectively. We examined the relationship between baseline health utilities and quality of life, and constructed a mapping algorithm to derive health utilities from EORTC QLQ C30. Methods: Data from 545 patients including baseline characteristics (age, gender, treatment arm, K-ras, ECOG PS, etc.), health preferences (HUI3), EORTC QLQ C30 five function scales, a two-item global health status (GHS) scale, three symptom scales, and six single items were obtained from the CO17 dataset. Correlations among HUI3 and EORTC QLQ C30 scales and baseline characteristics were examined. Multivariable linear regression model was constructed to develop a mapping algorithm to derive HUI3 from EORTC QLQ C30 scales and/or baseline characteristics. Leave-one-out cross validation (LOOCV) mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE) were calculated to examine predictive ability. Results: The mean HUI3 was 0.717 (SD = 0.235). HUI3 was significantly correlated with baseline ECOG PS, number of disease sites and the presence of liver metastasis, but not with age, gender, treatment arms or K-ras. HUI3 was also significantly correlated with all EORTC QLQ C30 scales except the diarrhea scale. Multivariable regression showed that HUI3 remained significantly associated with four of the five functional scales (physical, role, cognitive and emotional), the pain scale and the GHS scale. A mapping algorithm consisting of these 6 scales resulted in a model with an adjusted R2 of 0.61, and LOOCV mean error of -0.00014, MAE of 0.11, and RMSE of 0.15. Conclusions: Health preferences as measured by HUI3 are significantly associated with HRQL as measured by EORTC QLQ C30 in patients with advanced refractory colorectal cancer. Our mapping will allow for the generation of health preference values in advanced colorectal cancer when only EORTC QLQ C30 results exist in order to conduct cost-effectiveness analysis.

The EORTC QLQ-C30 Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) questionnaire was completed by 3069/3919 (78%) of a random sample of the Swedish population aged 18-79 years. The aims of the study were to provide normative data on the questionnaire and to investigate differences in HRQOL with respect to age, gender, sociodemographic characteristics and reported chronic health problems. Women had lower scores than men on all but one of the EORTC QLQ-C30 subscales and reported more chronic health problems. The oldest respondents (70-79 years) had a greater degree of impaired HRQOL than the other age groups, with one exception, 'Emotional functioning', in which they scored higher. Unemployed respondents reported poorer HRQOL than employed respondents. Higher income was associated with a more positive assessment of HRQOL. The results of the study present reference values for EORTC QLQ-C30 Version 3 questionnaire and clarify the influence of factors which should be taken into account when planning studies of HRQOL.

Background The study was conducted on a population of 74 patients undergoing surgery for rectal adenocarcinoma with 5-year follow-up. The aim is to evaluate the survival and Quality of Life (QoL) in two groups of patients: Y group with age

e15046 Background: To select a patient-reported outcomes (PRO) instrument for use in a pivotal G/EGJ cancer study, we evaluated the characteristics of two quality of life (QoL) questionnaires in a phase II trial of R (a fully human monoclonal antibody that neutralizes HGF, the MET receptor ligand) or placebo + ECX in the first-line treatment of 121 pts with LA or mG/EGJ cancer. The trial showed trends for improved survival in the R arms, especially in pts with METHigh(> 50% cells +ve). Methods: Discriminant validity of EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-STO22 was assessed by mean baseline (BL) scores grouped by ECOG PS 0 or ≥1. Responsiveness was assessed by longitudinal analyses of mean PRO score changes from BL by change in ECOG PS (better, no change, or worse). Results: Questionnaire completion was ≥ 60% for cycles 1-5. QLQ-C30 scores at BL had good discriminant validity by ECOG PS: ≥1 corresponded to lower QoL. QLQ-C30 was responsive to change from BL: higher mean QLQ-C30 scores were associated with improved ECOG PS. In contrast, QLQ-STO22 scores had poor discriminant validity and poor responsiveness to change from BL. Results were consistent across treatment arms, the intent-to-treat population, and MET expression groups. Conclusions: EORTC QLQ-C30, a global measure of QoL, correlates well with ECOG PS and is a valid and responsive QoL measure in this pt population. QLQ-STO22 is more specific for stomach-related symptoms and did not correlate with ECOG PS. QLQ-C30 will be included in a phase III, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of R + ECX for the first-line treatment of MET+ve LA or mG/EGJ cancer (NCT01697072). Clinical trial information: NCT00719550. [Table: see text]

542 Background: CTx has shown to have a positive impact on improving or maintaining quality of life (QoL) in patients with advanced GI cancers. The role of PSF in relation to objective tumor response (OTR) to CTx is not well described yet. We thus evaluated the predictive value of pretreatment PSF on OTR as well as the continuous evaluation of PSF in regard to OTR throughout treatment. Methods: Eligible pts had metastatic or recurrent GI cancer and were about to receive first- and second-line palliative CTx. QoL, physical symptoms and PSF were assessed by the EORTC QLQ C30, the MSKCC-Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS), and a modified Brief-COPE before treatment start and after discussing the results of the first follow up OTR assessment. OTR was either classified according to RECIST or using a remission based approach (RA), classifying response as any decrease in size, and no change or progression as non-response. Results: 50 pts (median age 61.8 years, ECOG 0/1/2 12%/62%/26%, 21 female, 40% colorectal, 28% biliopancreatic, 24% esophagogastric, 78% 1st line CTx) were enrolled. OTR was 32% partial response, 50% stable disease and 18% progressive disease according to RECIST, and 60% response vs. 40% non-response according to RA. Interestingly, patients responding (RECIST and RA) to CTx had better role/emotional/cognitive functioning, mental state, global distress index, active coping, positive reframing, and belief in control over their lives, and less acceptance of their disease before treatment. PSF significantly predicted response (RA) to CTx, even if adjusted for age, cancer type, and line of treatment (p

The purpose was to develop and validate a new instrument suitable for measuring perceived quality of life in women with breast cancer. The instrument is to be used within conventional cancer therapy as well as in complementary care, and is called the LSQ-32 (Life Satisfaction Questionnaire). The subjects were 362 women with breast cancer in all cancer stages. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of the LSQ was 0.89. The construct validity was estimated by a principal component analysis. Six orthogonal factors were identified: (1) 'Quality of family relation', (2) 'Physical symptoms', (3) 'Socioeconomic situation', (4) 'Quality of daily activities', (5) 'Sickness impact' and (6) 'Quality of close friend relation'. The criterion-related validity was estimated by comparing the LSQ-32 and the EORTC QLQ-C30. The scales/items of the EORTC QLQ-C30 were represented in the LSQ-32, but the factors 'Quality of family relation' and 'Quality of close friend relation' were not found in the EORTC QLQ-C30. It was concluded that the LSQ-32 as well as the EORTC QLQ-C30 are valuable tools in the measurement of quality of life in women with breast cancer. The LSQ-32, however, also contains an existential factor.

220 Background: DOC given for 8 consecutive courses is considered a standard first line treatment for CRPC pts and I administration could reduce its impact on quality of life (QL). E is considered synergistic with DOC. Aim of this study was to evaluate in a 2 × 2 factorial design, if I DOC could improve QL compared to C DOC and whether E added to DOC could improve its activity. Methods: CRPC pts were randomized to: C DOC 70 mg/m2 i.v. q 3 wks for 8 courses, alone (arm A) or with E 280 mg/TID p.o. for 5 days starting on -1 day (arm B), or the same treatments given with a 3-month rest period after the first 4 courses (arm C and D, respectively). The primary end points were QL (EORTC QLQ C30 and BPI) of A+B vs C+D and 1-y PFS (according to PCWG2) of A+C vs B+D. Results: From 11/06 to 10/10, 148 CRPC pts were enrolled and 124 pts are presently evaluable (24 too early). The median age was 69 (range 42–81) and the median baseline PSA was 55.6 (range 0.33–4212). The major hematological toxicities were: anemia G3 (3 pts), neutropenia G3 (4 pts) – G4 (5 pts), febrile neutropenia (5 pts). QL outcomes of C and I groups, were not statistically different in terms of general QL items. 1-y PFS was also superimposable (10% and 13.5%, respectively) for DOC and DOC+E groups. The 2-y overall survival was also evaluated with no differences between I and C groups (42.5% and 53.7% respectively) and between DOC and DOC+E groups (42.8% and 53.5% respectively). Conclusions: These preliminary results seem to indicate that I treatment may not improve QL compared to C treatment. Moreover, the addition of E to DOC did not improve 1-y PFS of CRPC pts. Updated data with the complete sample analysis will be presented.

103 Background: Therapeutic touch (TT) is a noninvasive healing technique. There is evidence of value in various clinical areas, but not during radiotherapy (RT) for breast cancer. The TT Cohort was designed to assess the acceptability, compliance, and side effects of TT. The Control Cohort was used compare the impact of TT in preventing radiation dermatitis. Methods: Early breast cancer patients scheduled to undergo post-conservative surgery RT were selected. TT was administered three times per week during RT. Feasibility was defined a priori as 15 of 17 patients completing all treatments. The effectiveness of TT was evaluated by the NCIC CTC V3 dermatitis scale and EORTC Cosmetic Rating. The quality of life (QOL), mood, and fatigue were assessed by EORTC QLQ C30, POMS, and BFI, respectively. These were assessed at baseline and weekly during treatment. Results: 17 stage I/II breast were prospectively identified for the TT Cohort and 31 patients were prospectively assessed in the Control Cohort. Median age was 63 years (47-79). TT was considered feasible as all 17 patients completed treatment. In the TT Cohort, the worst grade of radiation dermatitis was grade II in 9 patients. One patient did not develop any dermatitis. Median time to develop the worst grade was 20 days. QOL, mood and energy, and fatigue levels were consistent with the previous published studies. In the Control Cohort, the worst grade of radiation dermatitis was grade III in 1 patient. The most common toxicity grade was II in 15 patients. Three patients did not develop any dermatitis. Median time to develop the worst grade was 29 days. There was no statistical difference in the overall cosmetic score and grade II/III toxicity. There was a statistically significant difference in skin pigmentation and edema. Conclusions: This study represents the first evaluation of TT in patients with EBC using objective measures. TT is a feasible addition for the management of dermatitis to a tertiary clinic. TT neither improved overall cosmesis nor grade II/III toxicity.

Fatigue is one of the most common, ongoing symptoms reported by patients undergoing radiotherapy and has profound effects on the quality of life.This study attempts to identify the magnitude of fatigue and its implication on the quality of life during radiotherapy.A prospective study was conducted from March 2004 to September 2005, on 90 patients with histologically proven cancer, receiving radiotherapy. Pretreatment and weekly assessment of fatigue and QOL was done during radiation treatment using Brief Fatigue Inventory Scale and EORTC QLQ C30 respectively and repeated one month after completion of radiotherapy. All the scores were measured in the 0 to 100 scale. STATISTICAL METHODS USED: Trimean, SPSS 11.0 and Sysstat 8.0 were used for statistical analysis.Fatigue was present in 87.8% of patients initially and increased gradually over the course of radiotherapy and peaked in the last week. However at follow up it was nearing the pretreatment level. There was significant reduction in the functional scores ( P0.001) of QOL (physical, role and emotional function), which returned to pretreatment level at follow up. In the seventh week impairment of cognitive function (P=0.059) was noted. Significant reduction of social function (P0.001) at second week and global health status (P0.001) at fifth week was noted while financial difficulty was seen from second week onwards.Fatigue is transiently increased by radiotherapy before reaching pretreatment level after few weeks of completion of radiotherapy. QOL is also affected by fatigue which follows the same pattern.

9612 Background: Cancer patients frequently experience multiple and co-occuring problems due to their illness and therapies. Clusters are defined as groups of two or more Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) indicators that occur concurrently and may or may not have a common related cause. The objective of this meta-analysis was to identify how HRQoL indicators cluster among cancer patients. Methods: Retrospective pooling of 29 European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) randomized clinical trials, among 10 cancer sites, yielded baseline EORTC QLQ-C30 HRQoL data for a total of 6739 patients. A cluster analysis was performed to identify clusters among the 15 HRQoL scales, via Ward's method. Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α) was used to measure internal consistency. Dendrograms of the HRQoL indicators were plotted for the overall data and for each cancer site. Results: Three main clusters emerged from the pooled dataset: a physical function-related cluster, consisting of physical and role functioning, fatigue and pain (α = 0.83); a psychological function-related cluster, consisting of emotional and cognitive functioning and insomnia (α = 0.64); and a gastrointestinal cluster, consisting of nausea and vomiting and appetite loss (α = 0.68). The same clusters were found in patients with metastatic and non-metastatic disease. The gastrointestinal cluster was reproduced in all 10 cancer sites. We found that pain was not correlated with the other variables of the physical function cluster for patients with brain, colorectal or pancreatic cancer. For the psychological component cluster, cognitive functioning was not correlated with the other variables of the cluster for breast or pancreatic cancer patients, while insomnia was found not to be correlated with the other variables of the cluster for prostate cancer patients. Conclusions: This study shows that relationships among HRQoL indicators exist and that three major constructs can be found: a physical, a psychological and a gastrointestinal component. Understanding these relationships may aid diagnostic criteria, and assessment, management, and prioritization of symptom care. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

e20576 Background: Increasingly randomized controlled trials in cancer research include Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) alongside traditional biomedical outcome measures. The majority of these trials focus on a general cancer HRQoL measure. The objective of this meta-analysis was to identify which HRQoL indicators influence a patient's overall quality of life, in order to better understand the changes in such a generic scale. Methods: Retrospective pooling of 29 European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) clinical trials, among 10 cancer sites, yielded baseline EORTC QLQ-C30 data for a total of 6,739 patients. A cluster analysis, using Ward's method, was performed to determine how the 15 HRQoL indicators, and the Global Health scale (GH) in particular, cluster overall and by cancer characteristics. Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α) was used to measure internal consistency. Dendrograms of the HRQoL indicators were plotted for each cancer type. Results: Three main clusters emerged: a physical function related cluster (physical functioning, role functioning, fatigue and pain, α = 0.83), a psychological function related cluster (emotional functioning, cognitive functioning and insomnia, α = 0.64) and a gastrointestinal cluster (nausea and vomiting and appetite loss, α = 0.68). The GH scale was found to be part of the physical function cluster in the overall dataset (α = 0.85). This result was reproduced for both metastatic and non-metastatic patients. When looking across the 10 different cancer sites, the GH scale was mainly linked with a physical component in brain, head and neck, lung, melanoma, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate cancer. However, in breast and testicular cancer, GH was more strongly associated with the emotional scales. Conclusions: This study shows that the GH scale of the EORTC QLQ-C30 is most strongly linked with a patient's physical status. This result is consistent across stage of disease and most cancer sites. The different results seen in patients with breast and testicular cancer deserve additional investigation. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

8091 Background: QOL represents a critical issue in geriatric oncology. Cancer in the elderly is often associated with other chronic conditions possibly affecting QOL. Standard QOL tools are not li...

8205 Background: Regular measurement of QOL in cancer patients (pts) seems to improve patient-physician communication and symptom control. Few studies evaluated feasibility and compliance of QOL qu...

4150 Background: The results of a randomized phase II trial in pts with MGA showed that LV5FU2-irinotecan (CPT arm) combination as first-line therapy had a better efficacy and toxicity profile than LV5FU2 (5FU arm) alone or LV5FU2-cisplatin (CIS arm) (Bouche et al. Proc ASCO 2003; 22: 258). QoL was assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 to investigate the risk-benefit ratio and to test the infrastructure for future data collection before a phase III study. Methods: QLQ-C30 was self-administered at baseline and every 8 weeks in the 134 eligible pts: 5FU arm (45 pts), CIS (44 pts) and CPT (45 pts). Scores were compared to baseline with an analysis of variance (ANOVA). During a 6-month follow-up: - QLQ C30 scores and compliance were analyzed with mean (SD) and percent of missing scores; - a mixed ANOVA model for repeated measurements was applied to summarize the better longitudinal QoL profile. The same analyses were performed with the extreme poorest QLQ-C30 allocation for non-ignorable missing scores. Results: C...

8022 Background: Adverse effects in chemotherapy clinical trials are assessed and reported by physicians, yet physicians' accuracy in assessing symptoms has been questioned. We compared patient rep...

Since 07/92 236 patients (pts) with metastatic CC were randomized to receive 5-FU 2.6 g/m2 i.v. as a 24 h infusion, combined with either folinic acid 0.5 g/m2 2 h infusion (A), interferon α 2b 3 Mio U s.c. 3 ×/week (B), or both (C), repeated weekly × 6 with 2 weeks rest (Kohne et al ECCO 8). The EORTC QLQ C30. a valid and reliable patient assessed questionnaire, discriminates 15 dimensions of QL. This preliminary analysis is based on mailed questionnaires from 194 individuals obtained prior treatment, after 8 and 24 weeks on study. Results None of the 15 dimensions of QL improved during the course of treatment in any of the 3 study arms. When compared to baseline, a significant (P Conclusions High dose infusional 5-FU for metastatic CC does not improve QL, and results in a transient deterioration of some dimensions of QL, presumably by therapy-induced toxicity. However, QL is preserved over a 24 week treatment period in patients with initially progressive disease. The subjective impact of GI side effects depends on the modulator in use. A multi-variate analysis of psychosocial variables, toxicity and response data is pending.

Background The aim of the paper was to assess reliability and validity of the QLQ-C30 questionnaire in studying the quality of life in dialysed patients, and then to compare the life quality in patients on hemodialysis (HD), continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and healthy controls. The present study included 65 HD patients, 22 CAPD patients and a group of 76 healthy volunteers. Methods Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Cantrill ladder. Results The EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire appeared to be a reliable and valid tool for assessing the quality of life in dialysis patients. HD patients had significantly poorer quality of life in the areas of physical, social, cognitive and emotional functioning in comparisons to the controls. CAPD patients were not significantly different life quality-wise from controls, except for their social and professional life.

Objective To investigate cancer patients’ understanding of graphical presentations of longitudinal EORTC QLQ-C30 scores. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with brain tumour patients participating in routine patient-reported outcome (PRO) monitoring. We assessed understanding of longitudinal quality of life (QOL) profiles, presented as bar charts objectively and with self-ratings. In addition, patients’ opinions on congruency of the QOL scores with their self-perceived health status were evaluated. Results We recruited 40 brain tumour patients (57.5% female; mean age 52.7, SD 13.7). In total, 90% of patients rated the graphs as easy to understand. Accordingly, almost all questions on assessing understanding objectively were answered correctly by at least 80% of the patients. More than 95% indicated that the displayed QOL scores matched their personal perception of symptom burden and functional health in the observed period. Conclusion Patients are able to understand their QOL results when presented graphically and are able to interpret important changes. Displayed QOL scores obtained with the EORTC QLQ-C30 are consistent with the patients’ personal perception of physical and emotional functioning, pain and fatigue. Practice implications Knowledge about patients’ understanding of graphically displayed QOL results contributes to creation of optimal evidence-based feedback on the patients’ present QOL and its trajectory.

Background The EORTC-QLQ-C30 is a widely used health related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaire in lung cancer patients. Small HRQoL treatment effects are often reported as mean differences (MDs) between treatments, which are rarely justified or understood by patients and clinicians. An alternative approach using odds ratios (OR) for reporting effects is proposed. This may offer advantages including facilitating alignment between patient and clinician understanding of HRQoL effects. Methods Data from six CRUK sponsored randomized controlled lung cancer trials (2 small cell and 4 in non-small cell, in 2909 patients) were used to HRQoL effects. Results from Beta-Binomial (BB) standard mixed effects were compared. Preferences for ORs vs MDs were determined and Time to Deterioration (TD) was also compared. Results HRQoL effects using ORs offered coherent interpretations: MDs >0 resulted in ORs >1 and vice versa; effect sizes were classified as ‘Trivial’ if the OR was between 1 ± 0.05 (i.e. 0.95 to 1.05); ‘Small’: for 1 ± 0.1; ‘Medium’: 1 ± 0.2 and ‘Large’: OR 1.20. Small HRQoL effects on the MD scale may translate to important treatment differences on the OR scale: for example, a worsening in symptoms (MD) by 2.6 points (p = 0.1314) would be a 17 % deterioration (p

Objective: To further evaluate the higher order measurement structure of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30), with the aim of generating a summary score. Study Design and Setting: Using pretreatment QLQ-C30 data (N 5 3,282), we conducted confirmatory factor analyses to test seven previously evaluated higher order models. We compared the summary score(s) derived from the best performing higher order model with the original QLQ-C30 scale scores, using tumor stage, performance status, and change over time (N 5 244) as grouping variables. Results: Although all models showed acceptable fit, we continued in the interest of parsimony with known-groups validity and responsiveness analyses using a summary score derived from the single higher order factor model. The validity and responsiveness of this QLQC30 summary score was equal to, and in many cases superior to the original, underlying QLQ-C30 scale scores. Conclusion: Our results provide empirical support for a measurement model for the QLQ-C30 yielding a single summary score. The availability of this summary score can avoid problems with potential type I errors that arise because of multiple testing when making comparisons based on the 15 outcomes generated by this questionnaire and may reduce sample size requirements for health-related quality of life studies using the QLQ-C30 questionnaire when an overall summary score is a relevant primary outcome. 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons. org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Computer-adaptive tests (CAT) use individualised sets of questions to assess patient-reported health states, whereas static (conventional) questionnaires present the same questions to all patients. CAT has been shown to increase measurement precision and reduce assessment length. In our study, we investigated if patients perceive CAT questions as more appropriate than static questionnaires, a claim that is frequently associated with CAT measures. We compared the static European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) against its corresponding CAT measures focusing on two domains: Physical Functioning (PF) and Emotional Functioning (EF). Cancer patients completed the questionnaires and participated in a cognitive interview to assess how appropriate they perceive the QLQ-C30 and the CAT questions for their current health state. Forty-four cancer patients (mean age = 54.6; 56.8% female) were assessed. For the PF domain, patients considered the CAT items more appropriate (p = 0.002) than the QLQ-C30 items (56.8% vs. 15.9%; 27.2% indifferent). For the EF domain, patients were in favour of the QLQ-C30 items (p

Background Several mapping algorithms have been published with the EORTC-QLQ-C30 for estimating EQ-5D-3L utilities. However, none are available with EQ-5D-5L. Moreover, a comparison between mapping algorithms in the same set of patients has not been performed for these two instruments simultaneously. In this prospective data set of 100 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, we investigate three mapping algorithms using the EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D-5L and compare their performance.

Background Patients with newly diagnosed early stage prostate cancer (PCa) face a difficult choice of different treatment options with curative intention. They must consider both goals of optimising quantity and quality of life. The quality of life (QoL) is a psychometric outcome which is measured using validated questionnaires. Only few data are published concerning pre - and postoperative QoL. Methods This study investigated pre perative QoL of 185 patients who consecutively underwent open radical retropubic prostatectomy for organ-confined PCa to postoperative QoL of another 185 patients. The EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQPR25 module and 24 h ICS pad test were used (mean follow-up 28.6 months). Results The examined symptom scores of the EORTC QLQ-PR25 were on lowest level. In the dyspnoea symptom score differences of age emerged: the amount of patients who are short of breath rose significantly in older patients after surgery (p < 0.05 paired, two-tailed student's t-test).. Lastly, the urinary symptom score was found postal-therapeutically low; this fact was age independent. The results of sexual symptom score need to be taken into consideration, since prostatectomy resulted in a significant reduction of sexual activity independent of age. All functioning scales postoperatively reached high values without significant changes (p > 0.05 student's t-test ), which implies a high QoL after surgery. A reliable and satisfying status of continence was found in our patients after retropubic prostatectomy. A high rate of patients (89.2%) would choose retropubic prostatectomy again. Conclusion Retropubic prostatectomy represents a reliable and accepted procedure in the treatment of organ-confined PCa. For the first time it could be shown that patients` QoL remained on a high level after retropubic prostatectomy. Nevertheless, the primary avoidance or postoperative therapy of erectile dysfunction should be in the focus of surgeons.

Background The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) is the instrument most frequently used to measure quality of life in cancer patients, whereas the EQ-5D is widely used to measure and evaluate general health status. Although the EORTC QLQ-C30 has been mapped to EQ-5D utilities, those studies were limited to patients with a single type of cancer. The present study aimed to develop a mapping relationship between the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EQ-5D-based utility values at the individual level. Methods The model was derived using patients with different types of cancer who were receiving chemotherapy. The external validation set comprised outpatients with colon cancer. Ordinary least squares regression was used to estimate the EQ-5D index from the EORTC QLQ-C30 results. The predictability, goodness of fit, and signs of the estimated coefficients of the model were assessed. Predictive ability was determined by calculating the mean absolute error, the estimated proportions with absolute errors > 0.05 and > 0.1, and the root-mean-squared error (RMSE). Results A model that included global health, physical, role, emotional functions, and pain was optimal, with a mean absolute error of 0.069 and an RMSE of 0.095 (normalized RMSE, 8.1%). The explanatory power of this model was 51.6%. The mean absolute error was higher for modeled patients in poor health. Conclusions This mapping algorithm enabled the EORTC QLQ-C30 to be converted to the EQ-5D utility index to assess cancer patients in Korea.