Quality of Life and Patient Needs in Advanced High Grade Gliomas

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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There is limited knowledge regarding the quality of life and needs of patients with advanced high grade gliomas, especially during the end of life. By doing this research, we are able to assess caregiver and patient symptoms and needs during the end of life phase of patients with brain tumors.

Detailed Description
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Purpose: This is a pilot study to prospectively assess the symptoms and quality of life of patients and with advanced high grade glioma and their care takers. Specific Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the symptoms of patients with advanced high grade glioma. Patients who failed 3rd line chemotherapy and who require at least occasional assistance will be prospectively followed and their symptoms will be prospectively assessed. Patient's caregiver will be interviewed following the death of the patient to assess clinical symptoms in the last weeks of life and around the time of death. Methods: Patients will undergo clinical symptom assessment via questionnaire. Patients will be followed by regular semi-structured phone interviews. Should a patient pass, four weeks following this, the patient's care giver will be interviewed.

Official Title
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Quality of Life and Patient Needs in Advanced High Grade Gliomas - A Prospective Study

Conditions
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Quality of Life, Brain Tumor, Glioblastoma, Glioma, Anaplastic Astrocytoma

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Phone interviews


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age >18 Tissue proven diagnosis of a high grade brain tumor Disease progression by MRI Therapy resistant tumor to 2nd line chemotherapy Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score of 60 or less Patient will need to assign caregiver Exclusion Criteria: None

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Brain Tumor<br>Patients who are diagnosed with a high grade glioma that is progressive and therapy resistance. Patients will have a KPS of 60 or less. | Other: Phone interviews<br>* Phone interviews will be used to determine the patient's quality of life, symptoms and performance status<br>|
| Care Giver<br>Should a patient be unable to answer, the care giver will step in and provide surrogate answers. Additionally, at four weeks following the patient's death, the patient's care giver will be interviewed by utilizing a validated questionnaire. | Other: Phone interviews<br>* Phone interviews will be used to determine the patient's quality of life, symptoms and performance status<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Quality of life and end of life symptoms in brain tumor patients | Assessment will be performed with validated questionnaire (MDASI-BT) | 12 months | 
| Examination | Clinical assessment | 12 months |