Symptom burden and health-related quality of life six months after hyperbaric oxygen therapy in cancer survivors with pelvic radiation injuries

Purpose Late radiation tissue injuries (LRTIs) after treatment for pelvic cancer may impair health related quality of life (HRQoL). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an adjuvant therapy for LRTIs, but limited studied. The aim of this study was to explore the development and association between symptoms of LRTI and HRQoL following hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Methods A pretest-posttest design was used to evaluate the changes in pelvic LRTIs and HRQoL from baseline (T1), immediately after treatment (T2) and at six-month follow-up (T3). EPIC and EORTC-QLQ-C30 were used to assess LRTIs and HRQoL. Changes were analysed with t-tests, and associations with Pearson's correlation and multiple regression analyses. Results Ninety-five participants (mean age 65 years, 52.6% men) were included. Scores for urinary and bowel symptoms, overall HRQoL, all function scales and the symptoms scales sleep, diarrhoea, pain and fatigue were significantly improved six months after treatment (P-range = 0.00-0.04). Changes were present already at T2 and maintained or further improved to T3. Only a weak significant correlation between changes in symptoms and overall HRQoL was found (Pearson r-range 0.20-0.27). Conclusion The results indicate improvement of pelvic LRTIs and HRQoL following hyperbaric oxygen therapy, corresponding to minimal or moderate important changes. Cancer survivors with pelvic LRTIs and impaired HRQoL may benefit from undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Especially the reduced symptom-severity and improved social- and role function can influence daily living positively. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03570229. Released 2. May 2018.

Automated summary

The purpose of this study was to explore the development and association between symptoms of Late Radiation Tissue Injuries (LRTIs) and health related quality of life (HRQoL) following hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The results showed significant improvements in both LRTIs and HRQoL after the therapy, especially in symptom severity reduction and improvements in social and role functions. This suggests that cancer survivors with LRTIs and impaired HRQoL may benefit from undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy.