Biosistemak leads an article on breast cancer patient outcomes in collaboration with Cruces Hospital
The work, part of the VOICE project, is signed by Ania Gorostiza, researcher and biostatistician at the Institute, as first author.
Biosistemak researcher and biostatistician Ania Gorostiza has co-led the publication of a scientific article in the prestigious European Journal of Public Health, which represents a key advance for the Institute and strengthens its strategic collaboration with Cruces University Hospital. The study, entitled ‘Basing healthcare decisions on value: patient-reported outcomes for patients diagnosed with breast cancer in a European Cohort’, is part of the VOICE (Value-Based Healthcare for Outcomes in Breast and Lung Cancer in Europe) project, a European benchmark in the implementation of Value-Based Healthcare.
The study is based on the multicentre database generated by the VOICE project, which integrates information from patients from eight European hospitals, including the Cruces University Hospital. The study population includes 690 women diagnosed with breast cancer between 2018 and 2020, who were followed for six months after diagnosis. The VOICE project, coordinated in the Basque Country by Biosistemak and Osakidetza, has made it possible for the first time to compare in a standardised way clinical and quality of life outcomes reported directly by patients (PROs), using international tools such as the questionnaires proposed by ICHOM.
European data and a patient-centred approach
The statistical analysis, led by Biosistemak, reveals significant differences in the evolution of quality of life depending on the type of treatment received. For example, patients who received chemotherapy had the highest symptom burden on scales such as pain and fatigue, while those who received conservative surgery and radiotherapy experienced less deterioration. These findings underscore the need to incorporate the patient’s perspective into clinical decision-making and move towards patient-centred medicine.
These results underscore the importance of going beyond traditional clinical indicators, such as survival, and taking into account the physical, emotional and social well-being of patients. According to Gorostiza, ‘the relevance of this study is that it allows clinical staff to understand much more accurately how their patients feel and to tailor care to their real needs, moving towards truly personalised, value-based medicine.’
Strategic collaboration and international outreach
The publication is the result of direct collaboration with the Radiation Oncology team at Hospital de Cruces, a pioneer in the implementation of Value-Based Healthcare programmes. This synergy has been key to interpreting the results and applying them in clinical practice, and consolidates Biosistemak as a leader in research applied to improving healthcare.
The use of the VOICE database has not only enriched the analysis, but also opens the door to new joint research and knowledge transfer to improve care for breast cancer patients across Europe.
The lead authorship of biostatistician Ania Gorostiza and the international reach of the article are recognition of Biosistemak’s work and the potential of interdisciplinary collaboration. With this advance, the Institute and its partners reinforce their commitment to excellence in research and innovation in public health, placing patients at the centre of the healthcare process.
Article reference:
Gorostiza, A. et al. ‘Basing healthcare decisions on value: patient-reported outcomes for patients diagnosed with breast cancer in a European Cohort.’ European Journal of Public Health, 2024. DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckad064
