Blue Book: Quality of Life

Question 1

What is the definition of QoL

Answer 1

• The subjective evaluation of life as a whole.
• Patients’ appraisal of and satisfaction with their current level of functioning compared with what they perceive to be possible or ideal.
• Physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity

Question 2

How to measure QoL.

Answer 2

1. Physical functioning: Performance of self-care acitivities, functional status, mobility, physical activity, ‘role activities’ such as work or household responsibilites.
2. Disease and treatment-related symtoms: pain, SOB, nausea, vomiting, hair loss.
3. Psychological functioning: emotional distress, anxiety, recreation activities
4. Social functioning: family interaction, time with friends, recreation activites,
   5: Other: spiritual, cognitive function, sexual function.

Question 3

Assessment tools for QL

Answer 3

1. Generic
2. Cancer specific
3. Cancer site specific
4. QL domain specific

• Psychiatric Diagnostic Tools: Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) Scale, General Health Questionnaire.
• General Physical Functioning: Karnofsky Performance Status, WHO performance status.
• General symptomatology: Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS).
• Nausea and Vomiting: Morrow Assessment of nausea and emesis (MANE), Rhodes Index of nausea and vomiting (INV).
• Pain: McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), Memorial pain assessment card (MPAC).

Question 4

What is QALY or QTWIST?

Answer 4

Quality-Adjusted Life Years

Quality of time without symptoms or treatment side effects.