Background: The aim of this study was to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) before and after treatment for intracerebral low-grade glioma.
Methods: Patients with low-grade glioma who underwent surgical tumor removal between 2012 and 2018 were eligible for this study. All individuals and their closest relatives received thorough preoperative (<seven days before surgery) and posttreatment (12 months after surgery) neuropsychological testing investigating quality of life. The assessment consisted of the Aachen Life Quality Inventory (ALQI) and the Short Form 36 (SF36) questionnaire. Calculated SF36 values were compared with reference values from population-based studies. A set of clinical features were investigated for their association with longitudinal HRQOL deterioration.
Results: A total of 25 patients were referred for further analysis, after adjustment to the 2021 WHO classification for central nervous system tumors. Compared to the values of a healthy reference population, the patients expressed significant limitations in several SF36 items, both before and after treatment. Under treatment, there were no significant changes in the SF36 items, but the ALQI questionnaire indicated decreasing HRQOL over time. Data derived from relatives revealed a high degree of concordance with the rating results of the patients. Univariate analysis identified neurological deterioration and ongoing epileptic seizures as predictors for unfavorable HRQOL after one year.
Conclusions: Low-grade glioma disease has a significant impact on HRQOL and treatment might contribute to further deterioration. New-onset neurological deficits and ongoing epileptic seizures are predictors of limitations in quality of life. Since the results are based on a small cohort with limited follow-up time, the generalizability of these statements is limited and further studies are required.