By using a validated quality of life instrument, 422 patients were prospectively assessed preoperatively and 3, 6, and 12 months after lobectomy. Outcomes were analyzed with respect to age (group 1: 3c;70 years and group 2: ≥70 years). The outcome domains of physical functioning, role functioning, emotional functioning, cognitive functioning, social functioning, global health, and pain in the chest were analyzed using a mixed model. The trend in quality of life was determined according to age. The Kaplanȁ3;Meier method was used for analysis of overall survival.
The mean age was 60.1 years in group 1 (N = 256) and 74.7 years in group 2 (N = 166). Baseline demographics and quality of life were similar except that group 2 had better emotional functioning scores and worse pain in the chest scores. Postoperatively, both groups demonstrated significant decreases in quality of life at 3 months. However, at 6 and 12 months, all domains had returned to baseline except physical functioning, which remained below baseline in group 2. Emotional functioning improved postoperatively for both groups. Overall survival at 5 years was not different between groups.
By using a validated quality of life assessment tool with measurements at baseline and serially after resection in a large patient population, this analysis quantifies the degree of impairment of quality of life after lobectomy and documents time to full recovery for both age groups.