Quality of life evaluation by EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire in patients treated with hormonal treatment in Italy : A QUABIOS group study

Objectives: An observational study was planned by the QwABIOS group, to survey the hormonal treatment administered to prostate cancer patients in Italy within a time win dow of 12 months. We report here a prospective quality of life (QOL) evaluation over time and by hormonal treatment modalities. Methods: Patients with diagnosis of prostate cancer and treated with hormonal therapy were eligible for thh study. The EORTC QLQ-C30 v.3 questionnaire was administered at enrol ment, after 6 months and after 12 months from enrolment. Results: 587 patients were enrolled by 33 urological centers. When 1518 vuits were considered together independently of time, antiandrogen monotherapy was associated with a significantly bet ter QOL than LHRH-analogue containing treatment modalities in almost all functional scales; cyproterone acetate demonstrated a better physical function and general health status than bica lutamide. When QOL was analyzed in a prospective 12-month window, a worsening of physical function and general health status was observed; notwithstanding, antiandrogens remained signif icantly associated to a better QOL than LHRH-analogue therapies also o\er time: a favourable physical function and general health status appeared again to be related to cyproterone acetate than bicalutamide. Conclusions: Androgen deprivation therapy is associated with decline in QOL, particularly in the domains of physical function, energy, and general health status. This survey demonstrated that antiandrogens had a better QOL profile than LHRH-analogue containing therapies; furthermore, a more favourable tolerability for cyproterone acetate as compared to bicalutamide is suggested.