TY - JOUR
T1 - Quality of life in newly diagnosed cancer patients waiting for surgery is seriously impaired
AU - Visser, Mechteld R. M.
AU - van Lanschot, J. Jan B.
AU - van der Velden, Jacobus
AU - Kloek, Jaap J.
AU - Gouma, Dirk J.
AU - Sprangers, Mirjam A. G.
PY - 2006
Y1 - 2006
N2 - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Newly diagnosed cancer patients waiting for initial surgery experience a stressful time. Study objectives were (1) to examine the quality of life (QL) of these patients by comparing QL (a) between the four diagnostic groups included in this study, (b) to the QL of the general population, (2) to determine the factors that contribute most to patients' overall QL. METHODS: One hundred ninety six patients with lung, periampullary, oesophageal and cervical cancer completed questionnaires on generic QL (SF-36), overall QL, cancer-site specific symptoms (EORTC-modules), anxiety (STAI), health expectations, demographics and comorbidity. RESULTS: Between diagnostic groups no significant differences were found on generic QL. As compared to the general population, generic QL was impaired on all aspects except bodily pain. Using stepwise regression analysis, 46% of the variance in overall QL was explained with the SF-36 scales vitality (Beta = 0.43) and mental health (Beta = 0.23) being the most important predictors. CONCLUSIONS: The QL of these patients is seriously impaired. In this stage, not cancer-site specific aspects but fatigue and emotions colour their lives. It is recommended to keep the waiting period brief. In addition, suggestions are offered by which physicians might help their patients in alleviating the distress
AB - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Newly diagnosed cancer patients waiting for initial surgery experience a stressful time. Study objectives were (1) to examine the quality of life (QL) of these patients by comparing QL (a) between the four diagnostic groups included in this study, (b) to the QL of the general population, (2) to determine the factors that contribute most to patients' overall QL. METHODS: One hundred ninety six patients with lung, periampullary, oesophageal and cervical cancer completed questionnaires on generic QL (SF-36), overall QL, cancer-site specific symptoms (EORTC-modules), anxiety (STAI), health expectations, demographics and comorbidity. RESULTS: Between diagnostic groups no significant differences were found on generic QL. As compared to the general population, generic QL was impaired on all aspects except bodily pain. Using stepwise regression analysis, 46% of the variance in overall QL was explained with the SF-36 scales vitality (Beta = 0.43) and mental health (Beta = 0.23) being the most important predictors. CONCLUSIONS: The QL of these patients is seriously impaired. In this stage, not cancer-site specific aspects but fatigue and emotions colour their lives. It is recommended to keep the waiting period brief. In addition, suggestions are offered by which physicians might help their patients in alleviating the distress
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1002/jso.20552
DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/jso.20552
M3 - Article
C2 - 16705725
SN - 0022-4790
VL - 93
SP - 571
EP - 577
JO - Journal of surgical oncology
JF - Journal of surgical oncology
IS - 7
ER -