OBJECTIVES: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most prevalent type of brain cancer. It is a rare tumour with a global incidence of less than 10 per 100,000 people and a survival rate of 14–15 months. We aimed to identify comprehensive evidence on quality of life (QoL) and its drivers for patients with GBM in Europe.

METHODS: We systematically searched Embase® and MEDLINE® databases via Embase.com to identify English-language articles published from 2013–2023 reporting QoL data for GBM in adults in Europe.

RESULTS: Among 763 records screened, 27 studies were included. Most of the data were reported in Germany, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, France, Norway, Poland, and the UK. SF-36 and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer 30-item Core Quality of Life (EORTC-QLQ-C30) were the most widely used QoL scales. Using EORTC-QLQ-C30, elderly patients reported significantly lower global health (mean elderly vs younger; 50.8 vs 60.5, p = 0.003), worse physical (56.8 vs 73.3, p < 0.001) and lower cognitive functioning (51.1 vs 63.2, p = 0.002), worse fatigue (52.5 vs 43.5, p = 0.042), and worse motor dysfunction (34.9 vs 23.6, p = 0.030). Patients with radiological disease progression reported statistically lower scores in the role functioning domain of EORTC-QLO-C30 (p < 0.01 vs patients without progression). Comorbidities increased the risk of poor mental health component in patients (p = 0.003). First-line treatment with radiotherapy and temozolomide resulted in a significant change in emotional functioning and a clinically meaningful amelioration in role functioning between the baseline assessment and 9 months after radiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS: Although several factors were found to be associated with QoL in patients with GBM, age, comorbidities and disease progression have the broadest impact on HRQoL. Treatment can help improve QoL. Further research is required to investigate the impact of other associated factors.