
==== Front
Neurooncol Adv
Neurooncol Adv
noa
Neuro-Oncology Advances
2632-2498
Oxford University Press US

10.1093/noajnl/vdae090.124
vdae090.124
Final Category: Supportive Care, Palliative Care and QOL
AcademicSubjects/MED00300
AcademicSubjects/MED00310
QSPC-09 FACTORS IMPACTING QUALITY OF LIFE AFTER BRAIN METASTASES DIAGNOSIS: A MIXED METHODS STUDY OF PATIENTS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS
Porter Kathleen University of Virginia, Christiansburg, VA, USA

Mulligan Caroline University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA

Fadul Camilo University of Virginia, Christiansburg, VA, USA

Bonilla Gloribel University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA

You Wen University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA

Anderson Roger University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA

8 2024
02 8 2024
02 8 2024
6 Suppl 1 2024 SNO/ASCO CNS Metastases Conference i38i38
© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press, the Society for Neuro-Oncology and the European Association of Neuro-Oncology.
2024
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. For commercial re-use, please contact journals.permissions@oup.com

Abstract

To provide optimal care after the diagnosis of brain metastases (BMETS), it is crucial to understand the factors that affect quality of life (QoL) from the patient and caregiver perspectives. We conducted a mixed-methods pilot study to gain initial insight into patients’ and caregivers’ reports on factors that affect patients’ QOL following initial brain-directed treatment of brain metastases. Within 4 months of BMETS diagnosis, eligible patients completed 2 surveys ~3 months apart, while they and their caregivers completed interviews at the same timepoints. Patient demographic, diagnostic, and treatment data were abstracted from the medical record. The surveys and the semi-structured interviews assessed patients’ QoL and explored contributing factors. Median QoL change scores (Timepoint 1 minus Timepoint 2) and effect sizes (Cohen’s d) were calculated. Interviews were analyzed using directed content coding. Patients (n=8) had a median age of 69 years and had ECOG and KPS scores of ≤1 and ≥70, respectively. 25%, 75%, and 75% had received whole brain radiation therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, and systemic medical therapy, respectively. Caregivers (n=5) had a median age of 66 years and were 60% female and 80% a patient’s spouse/partner. QoL scores decreased among the 4 patients who completed both surveys [Fact-BR: median change score = 4.5, ES=0.28; Fact-G: median change score = 4.0, ES=0.34]. Interviews identified desirable features of and changes to patient QoL across 4 domains: physical, emotional, social, and spiritual. Six factors impacting patient QoL were identified, including BMETS diagnosis, care processes, treatment, alterations to daily activities and relationships, cancer-related life strain, and positive adaptations. This pilot study revealed that patients’ QoL decreased over time at a clinically relevant magnitude and identified some of the drivers of these changes. These preliminary findings support future research to address the persistent gaps related to supporting the QoL of patients with BMETS.
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