Structural equation modeling of quality of life in patients with uterine cancer

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine a hypothetical model for the factors affecting uterine cancer patients' health-related quality of life. Methods: Data were collected from 409 patients with cervical cancer or endometrial cancer, between March 16 and May 15, 2015, using a self-administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS v18 and AMOS v21. Results: The model supported 14 of the 19 hypotheses for all participants. The results indicated that resilience, marital intimacy, social support, and perceived health status directly affected participants' quality of life, while sexual function indirectly affected participants' quality of life. Of these variables, perceived health status had the strongest direct effect on participants' quality of life. Social support and sexual function were found to directly affect perceived health status. Somatic symptoms were found to directly affect sexual function, and resilience and marital intimacy in turn were found to directly affect somatic symptoms. Conclusion: These results suggest that management strategies to enhance uterine cancer patients' quality of life should address patients' perceived health status, social support, sexual function, and marital intimacy.