Pattern of Care and treatment outcome of high grade glioma patients at four Ethiopian teaching hospitals: A prospective cohort study
Dawit Workneh Gechu, Tsegazeab Laeke Tekelemariam, Bethelhem Yesehak Worku, Mehari Wale Alem, Yordanose Girma LegesseAbstract
Background
High-grade gliomas are the most prevalent type of malignant brain tumor in adults & second leading cause of cancer-related death. This study assesses epidemiology, pattern of care & treatment outcome of high-grade glioma in Ethiopia.
Methods
A Prospective cohort study. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS. Frequency distribution was used to describe the characteristics of the study participants. Chi-squared tests and survival analysis were used to assess the treatment outcomes. Variables with p < 0.05 were considered as significant.
Result
There was a total of 40 patients. The median age at diagnosis was 47 years. Headache was the commonest presenting symptom (97.5%) followed by seizure (52.5%) and weakness (50%). The pre-operative tumor volume ranged between 3.9-168 cm3 with a mean volume of 80.38 cm3. 22 patients had ≥ 97% extent of resection. 17.5% of the patients died post treatment. The mean survival time was 20.77 months (95% CI: 18.46-23.09 months). There was significant association with higher Karnofsky performance status (KPS) scale (≥ 70), pre-operative GCS and post-operative adjuvant therapy with survival outcome (χ2= 10.19 P = 0.006, χ2= 12.9 P = 0.005, χ2= 6.716 P = 0.035) respectively.
Conclusion
In our study the mean survival time was 20.77 months. Higher KPS, pre-operative Glasgow coma scale (GCS) of 15 and patients receiving post-op adjuvant therapy had significant favorable association with survival in our study.