Only sociodemographic variables predict quality of life after radiography in patients with head-and-neck cancer.

Purpose: Psychosocial factors influence patient compliance and have an effect on survival. Identifying patients at risk of decreased quality of life (QOL) with no extra expenditure in terms of hospital staff time or resources is mandatory to plan psychosocial support.
Methods and Materials: Between 1997 and 2000, 242 patients with head-and-neck cancer (30% pharyngeal, 29% oropharyngeal, and 13% laryngeal cancer) were screened. Of these, 28.5% refused to participate and 19.0% were excluded (Karnofsky performance score <50, language and cognitive deficits, death, or noncompliance). A total of 124 patients were assessed with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) questionnaire at ti1 (beginning of radiotherapy [RT]). Eighty-three patients from this group were examined, with complete data from ti1 to ti3 (6 weeks after RT).
Results: The QOL did not change during RT. In logistic regression analysis, medical information, in contrast to sociodemographic variables, turned out to have no influence on the ability to predict low QOL (sensitivity 80% vs. 32%). Four sociodemographic variables were entered in the regression model (children, currently employment, ethanol abuse, level of secondary education) and accounted for 26% of variance in QOL at ti3.
Conclusion: By routinely obtaining clinical information from the patient's history, patients at risk of low QOL after RT can be identified and could benefit from early psychosocial support.