Impact of dermatologic adverse events on quality of life in 283 cancer patients: A questionnaire study in a dermatology referral clinic Journal Article

  

Authors:	Rosen, A. C.; Case, E. C.; Dusza, S. W.; Balagula, Y.; Gordon, J.; West, D. P.; Lacouture, M. E.
Article Title:	Impact of dermatologic adverse events on quality of life in 283 cancer patients: A questionnaire study in a dermatology referral clinic
Abstract:	Background: Anticancer therapies cause a wide range of dermatologic adverse events (AE). Although the frequency and severity of these events have been described, their effects on health-related quality of life (QoL) remain poorly understood, and the ones having a greater impact have not been ascertained. Objective: To assess QoL in patients on conventional versus targeted anti-cancer therapies using a dermatology-specific questionnaire. Methods: Patients (n = 283) completed the Skindex-16, a QoL questionnaire measuring the effects on three domains: symptoms, emotions, and function. Patients were grouped into two categories according to the types of oncology treatments received: (1) targeted therapies and (2) non-targeted therapies. Correlations of Skindex-16 scores with type of anti-cancer therapy, number of AEs, and specific dermatologic AEs were investigated. Results: Significant differences between patients treated with targeted versus non-targeted therapy with regards to total Skindex-16 (p = 0.02) and emotion subdomain (p = 0.02) scores were observed. Additionally, patients on targeted therapies experienced a significantly greater number of AEs (p < 0.001) compared with patients on non-targeted therapies. Patients who exhibited epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor-induced rash had higher Skindex-16 scores (p = 0.009) and higher scores in the symptom (p < 0.001), emotion (p = 0.01), and function (p = 0.001) subdomains than patients without this AE. Similar results were observed for pruritus. All p values were two sided. Conclusions: Dermatologic AEs are associated with a diminished QoL. Targeted therapies are associated with a significantly increased number of AEs and worse total and emotion Skindex-16 scores in comparison with non-targeted therapies. EGFR inhibitor rash and pruritus produced the greatest negative impact. © 2013 Springer International Publishing Switzerland.
Keywords:	adult; cancer chemotherapy; functional assessment; major clinical study; hydroxyurea; lenalidomide; thalidomide; sorafenib; erlotinib; sunitinib; cancer patient; cancer radiotherapy; rituximab; imatinib; quality of life; bortezomib; infection; stem cell transplantation; cetuximab; cancer therapy; panitumumab; temsirolimus; nail disease; pruritus; rash; questionnaire; symptom; adverse outcome; folinic acid; gefitinib; scoring system; graft versus host reaction; emotion; telangiectasia; hormone; alopecia; photosensitivity; lapatinib; alemtuzumab; radiation dermatitis; urticaria; immunosuppressive agent; epidermal growth factor receptor kinase inhibitor; desquamation; xerosis; molecularly targeted therapy; pigment disorder; cheilitis; fissure sealant; dermatological procedure
Journal Title:	American Journal of Clinical Dermatology
Volume:	14
Issue:	4
ISSN:	1175-0561
Publisher:	Adis International Ltd
Date Published:	2013-08-01
Start Page:	327
End Page:	333
Language:	English
DOI:	10.1007/s40257-013-0021-0
PROVIDER:	scopus
PUBMED:	23625802
DOI/URL:	http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84880865947&partnerID=40&md5=d60b354a940081554195003110ceedb7
Notes:	--- - "Export Date: 4 September 2013" - "CODEN: AJCDC" - "Source: Scopus"