Health-related quality of life in elderly cancer patients, elderly non-cancer patients and an elderly general population

Health-related quality of life (QoL) is a major topic within the care for cancer patients (CP). Compared with the general population (GP), QoL of CP is worse in most dimensions; however, only few data comparing QoL of CP with that of other patients have been provided so far. We determined QoL with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 questionnaire in hospitalized patients aged 60 years and older: 195 CP and 130 patients treated for other medical disorders (MP). In addition, data were compared with an age- and gender-stratified German GP. Explorative statistical analyses were performed. The CP aged >= 70 years compared with those aged 60-69 years had decreased QoL in two scales, physical and cognitive functioning, MP in four scales, physical and role functioning, fatigue and dyspnoea respectively. Compared with the GP, both CP and MP had worse QoL in almost all scales. The CP and MP differed in two of 15 scales only, with CP having lower scores in emotional functioning and more loss of appetite. In conclusion, reduced QoL in elderly CP compared with GP cannot solely be attributed to the diagnosis of cancer, but also to a medical disorder requiring inpatient hospital care.