Factors Influencing Quality of Life among Cancer Survivors: Using KNHANES 2010-2014

Abstract

Background & Hypothesis: Due to an increase in cancer prevalence and live expectancy, the quality of life of cancer survivors after cancer treatment has become an issue. The purpose of this study was to identify meaningful predictors for quality of life among cancer survivors. Age, sex, educational level, economic status, time since diagnosis, comorbidity, activity limitation, and subjective health status were included as possible predictors. Methods: Data of 611 cancer survivors from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) from 2010 to 2014 were extracted to analyse factors influencing their quality of life. If participants had chronic diseases such as hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, stroke, arthritis, asthma, depression, atopic dermatitis, kidney disease, they were considered to have comorbidities. Results: Survivors of stomach, liver, colon, breast, cervix, lung, tracheal, and thyroid cancers were included in this study. Among the entered variables, age, economic status, activity limitation, comorbidity, and subjective health status were statistically significant predictors. Activity limitation (beta = 0.26, P <0.05) was the strongest predictor followed by subjective health status (beta = -0.23, P <0.001), age (beta = -0.13, P <0.01), economic status (beta = -0.10, P <0.05), and comorbidity (beta = -0.07, P <0.05). Discussion & Conclusion: When developing and applying intervention programmes for cancer survivors, their level of activity limitation need be factored in. Moreover, survivors' comorbid conditions and socioeconomic status need to be considered when caring for them.