Quality of Life After Bladder Cancer: A Cross-sectional Survey of Patient-reported Outcomes

Background: Little is known about health-related quality of life (HRQOL) following treatment for bladder cancer (BC). Objective: To determine this, we undertook a cross-sectional survey covering 10% of the English population. Design, setting, and participants: Participants 1?10 yr from diagnosis were identified through national cancer registration data. Intervention: A postal survey was administered containing generic HRQOL and BCspecific outcome measures. Findings were compared with those of the general population and other pelvic cancer patients. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Generic HRQOL was measured using five-level EQ-5D (EQ-5D-5L) and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ)-C30. BC-specific outcomes were derived from EORTC QLQ-BLM30 and EORTC QLQ-NMIBC24. Results and limitations: A total of 1796 surveys were completed (response rate 55%), including 868 (48%) patients with non?muscle-invasive BC, 893 (50%) patients who received radiotherapy or radical cystectomy, and 35 (1.9%) patients for whom treatment was unknown. Most (69%) of the participants reported at least one problem in any EQ-5D dimension. Age/sex-adjusted generic HRQOL outcomes were similar across all stages and treatment groups, whilst problems increased with age (problems in one or more EQ5D dimensions: <65 yr [67% {95% confidence interval or CI: 61?74}] vs 85+ yr [84% {95% CI: 81?89}], p = 0.016) and long-term conditions (no conditions [53% {95% CI: 48?58}] vs more than four conditions [94% {95% CI: 90?97}], p < 0.001). Sexual problems were reported commonly in men, increasing with younger age and radical treatment. Younger

Automated summary

This study investigated the health-related quality of life following treatment for bladder cancer, revealing that most participants experienced problems in generic HRQOL, with age and long-term conditions affecting HRQOL. Sexual problems were commonly reported in men, especially in younger age groups and those who received radical treatment.