Illness Perceptions and Quality of Life in Patients with Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A 3-Month Follow-Up Pilot Study

Manja Vollmann,¹ Ayako Matsuda,² Judith R Kroep,³ Kunihiko Kobayashi,⁴ Kaoru Kubota,⁵ Kenichi Inoue,⁶ Kazue Yamaoka,⁷ Hein Putter,⁸ Rajen Ramai,⁹ Johannes WR Nortier,³ Maarten J Fischer,¹⁰ Ad A Kaptein<sup>10

1</sup>Socio-Medical Sciences ESHPM, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; ²Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; ³Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; ⁴Saitama International Medical Center Saitama, Saitama, Japan; ⁵Nippon Medical School Hospital, Tokyo, Japan; ⁶Saitama Cancer Center, Saitama, Japan; ⁷Teikyo University Graduate School of Public Health, Tokyo, Japan; ⁸Medical Statistics and Bioinformatics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; ⁹Respiratory Medicine, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands; ¹⁰Medical Psychology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands

Correspondence: Ad A Kaptein
Department of Medical Psychology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, Leiden 2300 RC, the Netherlands
Email a.a.kaptein@lumc.nl

Purpose: Examine illness perceptions, functional health and quality of life of lung cancer patients throughout chemotherapy treatment.
Patients and Methods: Longitudinal design with baseline measure 12 days after the first chemotherapy and follow-up measure 3 months later, where illness perceptions (BIPQ), functional health, and quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C-30) were measured. A total of 21 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer took part. Non-parametric testing was performed given the pilot nature of the study and the associated relatively small sample size.
Results: Small to medium changes in illness perceptions and functional health between the two measurement points were detected, with both becoming more positive. More negative illness perceptions at the beginning of the treatment were associated with less functioning and lower quality of life at both beginning and end of treatment.
Conclusion: Addressing illness perceptions seems a clinically relevant approach in improving functioning and quality of life of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.

Keywords: lung cancer, illness perceptions, quality of life, longitudinal design, patient reported outcomes