Management of lung cancer patients' quality of life in clinical practice: a Delphi study.

BACKGROUND

The assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has seen exponential growth in oncology clinical trials. However, the measurement of HRQoL has yet to be optimised in routine clinical practice. This study aimed at exploring the operationalisation of HRQoL in clinical practice with the goal of reaching a consensus from a panel of physicians.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Physicians involved in the management of lung cancer patients in France were recruited to participate in a Delphi study. The study involved three rounds of iterated queries to gain consensus on management aspects of HRQoL, including timing of discussion on HRQoL, which specific domains of HRQoL should be discussed, and what was the most appropriate method of assessment. The threshold adopted for consensus was at least 70% agreement among physicians. A scientific committee reviewed results following each round of the Delphi study.

RESULTS

A representative panel of 60 physicians participated in this study. Consensus was obtained for HRQoL management at all time points in the patient care pathway. Panellists agreed that HRQoL discussions should occur during routine visits and hospitalisation. The involvement of patients' relatives was also recognised as important, except when discussing side-effects and involvement of a multidisciplinary team. There was a lack of consensus on a systematic assessment for all patients at each visit and no consensus on how HRQoL should be measured in clinical practice.

CONCLUSIONS

HRQoL discussions are considered an integral part in the management of lung cancer patients, and are deemed key to success in patient-physician interaction. Further research is required to harmonise how best to implement HRQoL assessment.

Informations de copyright

Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Disclosure BA, MA, and JL, employees of ICON plc, were paid consultants to Bristol-Myers Squibb. HL, A-FG, and F-EC are employees of Bristol-Myers Squibb. ABC reports personal fees from Bristol-Myers Squibb, Boeringher-Ingelheim, and Merck Sharp & Dohme; grants from Merck KGaA; grants, personal fees, and non-financial support from Novartis and Roche; and personal fees and non-financial support from Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Takeda, outside the submitted work. VW reports personal fees from Bristol-Myers Squibb, during the conduct of the study; personal fees and support for meeting attendance from Bristol-Myers Squibb and Roche; support for meeting attendance from Boehringer Ingelheim and Pfizer; and personal fees from AstraZeneca, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Takeda, and Amgen, outside the submitted work. ACT was paid as consultant/speaker by AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis, Pfizer, Vifor Pharma, and Roche. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest. Data sharing The datasets obtained and/or analysed during this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.