Illness Perceptions and Quality of Life in Patients with Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A 3-Month Follow-Up Pilot Study

Manja Vollmann,1 Ayako Matsuda,2 Judith R Kroep,3 Kunihiko Kobayashi,4 Kaoru Kubota,5 Kenichi Inoue,6 Kazue Yamaoka,7 Hein Putter,8 Rajen Ramai,9 Johannes WR Nortier,3 Maarten J Fischer,10 Ad A Kaptein10 1Socio-Medical Sciences ESHPM, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; 2Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; 3Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; 4Saitama International Medical Center Saitama, Saitama, Japan; 5Nippon Medical School Hospital, Tokyo, Japan; 6Saitama Cancer Center, Saitama, Japan; 7Teikyo University Graduate School of Public Health, Tokyo, Japan; 8Medical Statistics and Bioinformatics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; 9Respiratory Medicine, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands; 10Medical Psychology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the NetherlandsCorrespondence: Ad A KapteinDepartment of Medical Psychology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, Leiden 2300 RC, the NetherlandsEmail a.a.kaptein@lumc.nlPurpose: Examine illness perceptions, functional health and quality of life of lung cancer patients throughout chemotherapy treatment.Patients and Methods: Longitudinal design with baseline measure 12 days after the first chemotherapy and follow-up measure 3 months later, where illness perceptions (BIPQ), functional health, and quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C-30) were measured. A total of 21 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer took part. Non-parametric testing was performed given the pilot nature of the study and the associated relatively small sample size.Results: Small to medium changes in illness perceptions and functional health between the two measurement points were detected, with both becoming more positive. More negative illness perceptions at the beginning of the treatment were associated with less functioning and lower quality of life at both beginning and end of treatment.Conclusion: Addressing illness perceptions seems a clinically relevant approach in improving functioning and quality of life of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.Keywords: lung cancer, illness perceptions, quality of life, longitudinal design, patient reported outcomes