Quality of life but not cachexia definitions are associated with overall survival in women with cervical cancer: a STROBE-compliant cohort study

Abstract

Abstract Background Cancer-related cachexia (CRC) has a profound impact on health-related quality of life (HRQL), and both were reported to be associated with overall survival (OS). We hypothesize that HRQL and CRC are associated with OS. This study analyzed the impact of CRC on HRQL and its prognostic value in women with cervical cancer (CC). Methods A cohort study including consecutive women with CC treated from October 2020 to October 2021 in a cancer center. Cox’s model defined the associations of immune, biochemical and nutritional parameters, clinical cachexia classifications and HRQL with OS. Results Two hundred forty-four consecutive women with CC were included. Cachexia classifications and several scales of the QLQ-C30 were associated with OS by bivariate but not by multivariate analysis. QLQ-CX24 scales were not associated with OS. The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) (hazard ratio (HR) 0.828; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.766–0.896), Food aversion (HR 0.95; 95% CI 0.924–0.976), Eating difficulties (HR 1.041; 95% CI 1.013–1.071), Loss of control (HR 4.131; 95% CI 1.317–12.963), Forced self to eat (1.024; 95% CI 1.004–1.044) and Indigestion (HR 0.348; 95% CI 0.131–0.928) scales of the QLQ-CAX24 were independently associated with OS by multivariate analysis (p = 1.9×10−11). Conclusion This model permitted a clear stratification of prognostic subgroups. The PNI and several QLQ-CAX24 scales were associated with OS in women with CC. CRC, defined by several cachexia classifications, was not an independent prognostic factor. These findings require confirmation because of their possible diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic implications.