Improvements in quality of life associated with epoetin alfa treatment are clinically, as well as statistically, significant

ABSTRACT

Fatigue can be a major problem for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, and anaemia is known to be an important contributory factor. Several studies have shown that treatment with epoetin alfa raises haemoglobin levels, reduces fatigue and improves health-related quality of life (HrQoL). However, it is often difficult for clinicians to relate reported HrQoL improvements from clinical trials to meaningful benefits for their patients. Results from a large-scale, placebo-controlled study were used to determine the minimally important difference in HrQoL, defined as the ‘smallest difference in score … which patients perceive as beneficial and which would mandate … a change in the patient's management’¹.

Notes

* Source: Patrick D, Gagnon DD, Zagari MJ, et al. Assessing the clinical significance of health-related quality of life (HrQoL) improvements in anaemic cancer patients receiving epoetin alfa. Eur J Cancer 2003;39:335-345