Chronological Changes of Quality of Life in Long-Term Survivors after Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer.
- Author:
Wansik YU
1
;
Ki Bum PARK
;
Ho Young CHUNG
;
Oh Kyoung KWON
;
Seung Soo LEE
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Quality of life; Stomach neoplasms; Gastrectomy
- MeSH: Body Image; Deglutition Disorders; Diarrhea; Eating; Fatigue; Gastrectomy*; Global Health; Humans; Patient Care; Postoperative Period; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life*; Stomach Neoplasms*; Survivors*; Weight Gain
- From:Cancer Research and Treatment 2016;48(3):1030-1036
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: PURPOSE: A few studies have prospectively evaluated changes in quality of life (QoL) after surgery in short-term survivors; however, no prospective study has evaluated the longitudinal changes in QoL in long-terms survivors. We prospectively evaluated the chronological changes in QoL after a gastrectomy over a 5-year postoperative period in a large group of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: QoL data from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and the QLQ-STO22 questionnaires were obtained from 254 patients who completed the entire series of QoL assessments preoperatively and at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years after surgery. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant change in global health status/QoL during the 5-year postoperative period. Decreases in QoL from upper gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhea (p < 0.001), dysphagia (p < 0.001), reflux symptoms (p=0.029), and eating restrictions (p < 0.001) were observed among the long-term survivors. Decreased physical functioning (p < 0.001), role functioning (p < 0.001), and cognitive functioning (p < 0.001), along with fatigue (p=0.045) and a poor body image (p=0.003), negatively impacted the patients' QoL for a long time. CONCLUSION: Management of gastrointestinal symptoms should be specifically targeted as a part of long-term patient care after a gastrectomy. Proper nutritional care will improve food intake resulting in weight gain and improved physical functioning, role functioning, and body image. In addition, patients should be encouraged to preserve self-esteem and maintain social activity.
