Assessing Health-Related Quality of Life Among Survivors of Testicular Cancer: A Systematic Review

Abstract

This study aimed to determine if the current health-related quality of life (HRQoL) tools created for survivors of testicular cancer are collecting the highest quality of data via a two-step methodological critique of both the seminal studies that produced a survivor of testicular cancer HRQoL tool (Phase 1) and the actual tool itself (Phase 2). It is the goal of this current article to present and discuss Phase 1. A systematic review aimed to assess the methodological quality of studies conducted to create instruments used to measure survivors of testicular cancer HRQoL. Five reviewers independently assessed each study with the 20-item Appraisal Tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS). Inter-rater agreement and Fleiss’ kappa was also assessed to ensure consistency in reported scores. Assessments for the EORTC QLQ-TC 26 and CAYA-T studies were low (AXIS 52.5%; IRA 95%; κ = 0.779) and fair (AXIS 65%; IRA 80%; κ = 0.599), respectively. Critical appraisal of the scales included issues within the three core AXIS domains. Primary concerns related to sampling methodology and the lack of a qualitative component of their core conceptual development phase. Both reviewed seminal studies have significant methodological concerns that question the tools’ quality. Next steps include extensive appraisal of the psychometric properties of the EORTC QLQ TC-26 and the CAYA-T to complete the comprehensive review. Accurate and reliable data are necessary to understand survivor of testicular cancer HRQoL and assist in building the bridge of communication between health care professionals and survivors to help to improve patient outcomes.

Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Cancer and Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…For both appraisal tools, a study was assessed to be (1) good quality if its score was equal to or exceeded 70% of the total, (2) fair quality if the score was between 60% and 69.9%, and (3) low quality if the score was below 60%. 41 S.P. performed the critical appraisal of the included studies and F.R.…”

Health-related quality of life, depression, anxiety and sexual dysfunction in patients with testicular cancer

“…In the literature, the findings are varied between erectile dysfunction, age and marital status for men with testicular cancer [16]. The study results reported that older age could be factor on sexual interest and satisfaction with sex life, which has negatively associated with health-related quality of life [17]. In addition, having a partner has positive impact on sexual function for me diagnosed with testicular cancer [8,18].…”

“…Erectile function 6, orgasm function 2, sexual desire 2, sexual satisfaction 3 and general satisfaction are questioned with 2 questions. This form questions the quality of erectile function during the last 4 weeks [17]. The answers given to the questions asked were scored between 0 and 5 in this form.…”

Testicular cancer survivorship: Long-term toxicity and management

“…Beyond this direct relationship between side effects and QoL, there is concern that current QoL assessments lack the sensitivity to capture the complexity of QoL sequelae experienced by TCS. 116,118,119 Most TCS are diagnosed and treated during a life stage critical to the development of their autonomy and self-concept; 120 however, most studies to date report on older TCS with few studies explicating the adolescent and young adult TCS experience. 121 Having a stronger understanding of how TC may impede optimal progression through this critical life stage is imperative to mitigating potential long-term negative QoL effects.…”