1.Quality of life in gynecologic cancer survivors compared to healthy check-up women.
Sarikapan WILAILAK ; Arb aroon LERTKHACHONSUK ; Nawaporn LOHACHAROENVANICH ; Suteera Chukkul LUENGSUKCHAROEN ; Manmana JIRAJARAS ; Puchong LIKITANASOMBAT ; Suwannee SIRILERTTRAKUL
Journal of Gynecologic Oncology 2011;22(2):103-109
OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to compare quality of life of disease-free patients after therapy for gynecologic malignancies at follow-up in comparison with healthy check-up patients. Our second objective was to assess correlation between demographic data, disease and treatment factors and quality of life scores. METHODS: Patients completed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) quality of life questionnaire at least 6 months after treatment for a gynecologic malignancy. Responses were compared to unmatched healthy women who were seen for standard gynecologic screening examinations. Statistical calculation was done using chi-squared tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum, and Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis and Spearman rank correlations. Factors associated with FACT-G scores were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Eight hundred and seventy patients were recruited. The median time since therapy was 61 months (range, 6 to 173 months). The overall FACT-G scores were higher in the patient group than in the healthy group (p<0.05). The scores of each subscale measuring physical, functional, social/family and emotional well-being were also higher in the patient group (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed correlation between Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, educational level, care giver, presence of economic problems and FACT-G scores. CONCLUSION: The quality of life scores were higher in gynecologic cancer patients after treatment. And the factors that associated with the higher score in the patient group are having husband as a caregiver, no financial problem, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score 0 or 1 and having high school or higher education.
Caregivers
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Educational Status
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Female
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Follow-Up Studies
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Humans
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Mass Screening
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Multivariate Analysis
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Quality of Life
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Spouses
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Survivors
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Surveys and Questionnaires