Long-term health-related quality of life in meningioma survivors: A mixed-methods systematic review

Sé Maria Frances; Louise Murray; Emma Nicklin; Galina Velikova; Florien Boele

doi:10.1093/noajnl/vdae007

Long-term health-related quality of life in meningioma survivors: A mixed-methods systematic review

Neurooncol Adv. 2024 Jan 19;6(1):vdae007. doi: 10.1093/noajnl/vdae007. eCollection 2024 Jan-Dec.

Authors

Sé Maria Frances¹, Louise Murray², Emma Nicklin¹, Galina Velikova^{1

2}, Florien Boele^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ Patient-Centred Outcomes Research, Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, St James's University Hospital, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
² Department of Clinical Oncology, Leeds Cancer Centre, Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
³ Academic Unit of Health Economics, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.

Abstract

Background: Meningiomas account for ~25% of all primary brain tumors. These tumors have a relatively favorable prognosis with ~92% of meningioma patients surviving >5 years after diagnosis. Yet, patients can report high disease burden and survivorship issues even years after treatment, affecting health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We aimed to systematically review the literature and synthesize evidence on HRQOL in meningioma patients across long-term survival, defined as ≥2 years post-diagnosis.

Methods: Systematic literature searches were carried out using Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science Core Collection. Any published, peer-reviewed articles with primary quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods data covering the physical, mental, and/or social aspects of HRQOL of meningioma survivors were included. A narrative synthesis method was used to interpret the findings.

Results: Searches returned 2253 unique publications, of which 21 were included. Of these, N = 15 involved quantitative methodology, N = 4 mixed methods, and N = 2 were qualitative reports. Patient sample survival ranged from 2.75 to 13 years. HRQOL impairment was seen across all domains. Physical issues included persevering symptoms (eg, headaches, fatigue, vision problems); mental issues comprised emotional burden (eg, high prevalence of depressive symptoms and anxiety) and cognitive complaints; social issues included role limitations, social isolation, and affected work productivity. Due to study heterogeneity, the impact of treatment on long-term HRQOL remains unclear.

Conclusions: The findings from this review highlight the areas of HRQOL that can be impacted in long-term survivorship for patients with meningioma. These findings could help raise awareness among clinicians and patients, facilitating support provision.

Keywords: disease burden; health-related quality of life; meningioma; mixed-methods; survivorship.