Pilot Study to Describe the Trajectory of Symptoms and Adaptive Strategies of Adults Living with Low-grade Glioma.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the adaptability to the patterns in symptoms and quality of life (QoL) during 6 months post low-grade glioma diagnosis by valid and reliable tools; to identify through qualitative interviews patient/provider adaptive techniques and strategies; and to assess associations among patient characteristics, symptoms and QoL, and adaptive techniques or strategies. DATA SOURCES: Demographic, clinical and pathologic data from medical records. Validated instruments that assess QoL, fatigue, depression, and distress were completed at 2, 4, and 6 months post diagnosis. Qualitative interviews identifying the symptoms, challenges, adaptive techniques and strategies were conducted at 4 and 6 months. CONCLUSION: The most frequently used adaptive strategies included: obtaining community support (87%), managing expectations (73%) and support systems (67%), and seeking out knowledge about physical (67%) and behavioral symptoms (53%). Seizures were reported with IDH1mut (11%) but not IDH1wildtype. Patients with either IDH1mut or TERTmut consistently reported lower QoL and higher distress, depression, and fatigue scores. IDH1/TERTmut may be related to lower QoL because of IDH1mut-related seizures. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Findings provide a list of adaptive strategies and characteristics to address the problems and symptoms that may improve overall QoL in patients with low-grade glioma.

Duke Scholars

Author Mary Louise Affronti School of Nursing

Author Katherine Barnett Peters Neurosurgery, Neuro-Oncology

Author James Emmett Herndon II Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Division of Biostatistics

Author Susan Moeller Schneider School of Nursing

Author Henry Seth Friedman Neurosurgery, Neuro-Oncology