World Journal of Oncology, ISSN 1920-4531 print, 1920-454X online, Open Access
Article copyright, the authors; Journal compilation copyright, World J Oncol and Elmer Press Inc
Journal website http://www.wjon.org

Original Article

Volume 2, Number 2, April 2011, pages 47-52

Functional Interference due to Pain Following Palliative Radiotherapy for Bone Metastases Among Patients in Their Last Three Months of Life

Tables

Table 1. Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of the 83 Patients Dying Within 3 Months of Beginning Radiotherapy, as Divided Between the Study Population and Patients Lost to Follow-up
 
Study Population (n = 35)Lost to Follow-up (n = 48)
Age (years)
  Median (Range)68 (42 - 85)70 (41 - 86)
Gender
  Male20 (57.1%)34 (70.8%)
  Female15 (42.9%)14 (29.2%)
KPS
  Median (Range)70 (30 - 90)60 (40 - 90)
Primary Tumor Site
  Lung11 (31.4%)22 (45.8%)
  Gastrointestinal8 (22.9%)5 (10.4%)
  Breast8 (22.9%)4 (8.3%)
  Prostate5 (14.3%)5 (10.4%)
  GU (non-Prostate)3 (8.6%)3 (6.3%)
  Primary Unknown05 (10.4%)
  Others04 (8.3%)
Irradiated Site
  Spine11 (31.4%)19 (39.6%)
  Sacrum/Pelvis11 (31.4%)4 (8.3%)
  Lower Extremity7 (20%)12 (25%)
  Upper Extremity2 (5.7%)4 (8.3%)
  Others4 (11.4%)9 (18.8%)
Fractionation
  Single27 (77.1%)30 (62.5%)
  Multiple8 (22.9%)18 (37.5%)

 

Table 2. P-Values From Comparisons Between the Study Population and Patients Lost to Follow-up With Respect to Baseline Demographics, Clinical Information and BPI Functional Domain Ratings
 
*denotes a significant difference, NS denotes non-significance.
Age0.40
Gender0.25
KPS0.13
Primary Tumor SiteNS
Irradiated Site
  Spine0.49
  Lower Extremity0.79
  Sacrum/Pelvis0.0095*
  Upper Extremity0.65
  Other0.54
FractionationNS
Functional Domain
  General Activity0.95
  Mood0.31
  Walking Ability0.76
  Normal Work0.37
  Relations with Other People0.54
  Sleeping0.45
  Enjoyment of Life0.36

 

Table 3. P-Values From Comparisons Between the BPI Functional Domain Ratings for Responders and Non-Responders Within the Study Population (N = 35) at 1 and 2 Months Following the End of Radiotherapy
 
1 month (n = 32 available patients)2 months (n = 6 available patients)
*denotes a significant difference, NS denotes non-significance.
Functional Domain
  General Activity0.0047*0.37
  Mood0.18NS
  Walking Ability0.046*0.23
  Normal Work0.016*0.37
  Relations With Other People0.24NS
  Sleeping0.021*NS
  Enjoyment of Life0.041*NS