Improvements in physical performance and health-related quality of life one year after radical operation for lung cancer

Abstract

Micro abstract

This study assessed physical performance and health-related quality of life one year after lung cancer surgery and investigated the potential association between both outcomes. We found that the walked distance was associated with the subjective perception of the physical functioning. Patients improved health-related quality of life, reaching values similar to a healthy reference population.

Background

Resuming an acceptable level of lifestyle and health-related quality of life after lung cancer surgery has become an important issue. We aimed to evaluate the course of recovery of physical performance and health-related quality of life following pulmonary resection for lung cancer, as well as examine the potential association between these outcomes.

Methods

In an observational design, we assessed 78 individuals radically operated for lung cancer. We measured health-related quality of life (SF-36), six-minute walk test (6MWT) and lung function (spirometry) three weeks (baseline), four and twelve months after surgery. SF-36 values were compared to an age- and gender-matched reference population.

Results

The mean age was 65 years (SD9), 59% were males. Thoracotomy was performed in 77% of the cases. Compared to baseline values, we found significant improvements after one year in SF-36 physical and mental component summary components of large effect size (0.8 and 0.9 respectively). Values for both SF-36 summary components were comparable to those of the reference population. The improvement in 6MWT was of moderate effect size (0.6). We found a positive association between 6MWT and the SF-36 domain for physical functioning (β=0.05, 95% CI [0.00;0.09], p=0.03) one year after surgery.

Conclusion

Individuals who were radically operated for lung cancer improved health-related quality of life one year after surgery, reaching values similar to a healthy reference population. The walked distance was positively associated with the subjective perception of physical functioning. The clinical significance of these findings deserves further investigation.