Baseline functioning scales of EORTC QLQ-C30 predict overall survival in patients with gastrointestinal cancer: a meta-analysis.

Purpose: A consensus has not been reached on the value of quality of life (QoL) as a prognostic factor for survival in gastrointestinal cancer. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association between functioning scales of the EORTC QoL Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30) and the overall survival (OS) in patients with gastrointestinal cancer.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases, until February 7, 2023. The studies included were those that investigated the association between baseline QoL measured by the functioning scales of EORTC QLQ-C30 and OS in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. The prognostic capacity of QoL was calculated by pooling the adjusted hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: Twenty-four studies' analyses reported by 22 eligible articles involving 11,609 patients were included. When compared with good parameters of QoL, poor global QoL (HR 1.81; 95% CI 1.53-2.13), physical functioning (HR 1.51; 95% CI 1.31-1.74), social functioning (HR 1.67; 95% CI 1.30-2.15), and role functioning scale (HR 1.42; 95% CI 1.20-1.29) were significantly associated with decreased OS. For each 10-point increase in QLQ-C30 parameters, the pooled HR of OS was 0.87 (95% CI 0.83-0.92) for global QoL, 0.87 (95% CI 0.83-0.92) for physical functioning, and 0.93 (95% CI 0.88-0.97) for role functioning. However, each 10-point increase in social, emotional, or cognitive functioning scale did not significantly predict OS.

Conclusions: Baseline health-related QoL defined by the physical functioning or global QoL scale of EORTC QLQ-C30 significantly predicts OS in patients with gastrointestinal cancer.