Quality of life of long-term surviving patients with colorectal carcinoma

Abstract

Introduction: The number of long-term surviving patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) is growing. Their quality of life is rarely examined. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in long-term surviving patients with CRC and determine demographic and clinical correlations that significantly affect HRQoL of the patients. Methods: 162 long-term CRC survivors in the Slovak Republic were contacted through self-help groups. The condition for inclusion in the sample was at least three years of survival after diagnosis of CRC and termination of the treatment. The patients filled-in two questionnaires of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer: QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR 29. Results: The analysis of the results shows statistically significant correlations between sex and Fatigue – SFA (p = 0.011) and Insomnia – SL (p = 0.005). Significant correlations between age and Role functioning – RF2 (p = 0.041) and Nausea and vomiting – NV (p = 0.011) have been shown. There are significant correlations between age and the following scales: Body image – BI (p = 0.023), Anxiety – ANX (p = 0.011), Sexual interest – SEXF (p = 0.006), Financial difficulties – FI (p = 0.015) and Dyspareunia – DYS (p = 0.034). None of the scales correlate with disease duration. Conclusions: The quality of life in the study group was not affected by the duration of survival. The quality of life scales are affected by age and sex of the respondents.