Treatment-related optimism protects quality of life in a phase II clinical trial for metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Background: Patients on clinical trials often experience declining quality of life (QOL). Little is known about the psychosocial variables that buffer against decline.

Purpose: This study aims to examine correlations between psychosocial variables and QOL over the course of a clinical trial in patients with metastatic renal cell cancer.

Methods: At baseline, 114 participants completed measures of treatment-related optimism, social support, and QOL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General). QOL was also assessed 2, 4, and 8 weeks after the start of treatment with low-dose or intermediate-dose interferon.

Results: QOL decreased significantly in the intermediate-dose group but not in the low-dose group (p < .01). The decline was less severe for patients who had high rather than low treatment optimism (p = .03). A higher level of social support was significantly associated with higher baseline QOL (p < .05) but a more rapid decline in QOL over time (p < .01).

Conclusion: Treatment optimism was favorably associated with QOL.