A. A. Novik, T. I. Ionova, S. A. Kalyadina, K. A. Kurbatova

Quality of life and symptoms in breast cancer patients with bone metastasis receiving Pomegara® (pamidronic acid): results of a pilot study

The article represents the results of a pilot study aimed to determine quality of life and symptoms in breast cancer patient with bone metastasis undergoing treatment with pamidronate. To evaluate quality of life treatment response the Integral Quality of Life Index (IQLI) was calculated and the grades of quality of life impairment were determined at baseline and at 4, 8 and 12 weeks for each patient by the method of Integral Profiles on the basis of SF-36 scales. Symptoms were assessed using M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory. Forty two patients were included in the study.
Significant increase in quality of life in patients on chemotherapy with pamidronate was obtained. Namely, pain, physical functioning, role physical functioning and mental health scores of SF-36 were higher than at baseline (p<0,05). The majority of patients had IQLI improvement or stabilization.
Decrease of prevalence of cancer-related symptoms was shown as well as reducing the number of patient with moderate-to-severe symptoms.