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A reference set of health utilities for long-term survivors of prostate cancer: population-based data from Ontario, Canada

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Abstract

Purpose

To measure quality of life (QOL) and utilities for prostate cancer (PC) patients and determine their predictors.

Methods

A population-based, community-dwelling, geographically diverse sample of long-term PC survivors in Ontario, Canada, was identified from the Ontario Cancer Registry and contacted through their referring physician. Consenting patients completed questionnaires by mail: Health Utilities Index (HUI 2/3), Patient Oriented Prostate Utility Scale PORPUS-U (utility), PORPUS-P (health profile), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate (FACT-P), and Prostate Cancer Index (PCI). Clinical data were obtained from chart reviews. Regression models determined the effects of a series of variables on QOL and utility.

Results

We received questionnaires and reviewed charts for 585 patients (mean age 72.6, 2–13 years postdiagnosis). Mean utility scores were as follows: PORPUS-U = 0.92, HUI2 = 0.85, and HUI3 = 0.78. Mean health profile scores were as follows: PORPUS-P = 71.7, PCI sexual, urinary, and bowel function = 23.7, 79.1, and 84.6, respectively (0 = worst, 100 = best), and FACT-P = 125.1 (0 = worst, 156 = best). In multiple regression analyses, comorbidity and PCI urinary, sexual, and bowel function were significant predictors of other QOL measures. With all variables, 32–50 % of the variance in utilities was explained.

Conclusions

Many variables affect global QOL of PC survivors; only prostate symptoms and comorbidity have independent effects. Our model allows estimation of the effects of multiple factors on utilities. These utilities for long-term outcomes of PC and its treatment are valuable for decision/cost-effectiveness models of PC treatment.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a project grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR, #53114), an investigator award from CIHR (Dr. Krahn), the F. Norman Hughes Chair in Pharmacoeconomics (Dr. Krahn), a Research Scientist Award from the Canadian Cancer Society (Dr. Alibhai), and the University of Toronto Mary Trimmer Chair in Geriatric Medicine (Dr. Naglie).

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Correspondence to Karen E. Bremner.

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Krahn, M.D., Bremner, K.E., Alibhai, S.M.H. et al. A reference set of health utilities for long-term survivors of prostate cancer: population-based data from Ontario, Canada. Qual Life Res 22, 2951–2962 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-013-0401-1

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