Objective: To correlate quality of life (QoL) and physical limitations in histological proven primary brain tumor patients using a battery of generic, disease-specific and symptom questionnaires.
Methods: Thirty patients with primary brain tumors were selected from a neuro-oncology outpatient clinic. The FACT-Br Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Brain (specific quality of life questionnaire for patients with brain tumors), SF-36 (generic quality of life questionnaire), HADS (anxiety and depression), and Barthel Index (functionality scale) were answered by the patients at the same interview.
Results: The Barthel index did not demonstrate correlation with any subscale of the FACT-Br questionnaire. The HADS had a negative correlation with all FACT-Br subscales and its total score. The SF-36 had a significant weak to moderate correlation with the FACT-Br questionnaire.
Conclusion: Considering that the FACT-Br is a quick specific questionnaire, it can be a valuable and simple option in evaluating QoL in brain tumor patients with good functional capacity.