Health-related quality of life in Slovenian patients with colorectal cancer: a single tertiary care center study
, , , , , and | Mar 14, 2019
About this article
Article Category: Research Article
Published Online: Mar 14, 2019
Page range: 231 - 237
Received: Dec 12, 2018
Accepted: Feb 02, 2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/raon-2019-0015
© 2019 Jan Grosek, Jerica Novak, Katja Kitek, Alta Bajric, Ana Majdic, Jurij Ales Kosir, Ales Tomazic, published by Sciendo
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.
Characteristics of the study population
| Responders n 197 | Non-responders n 216 | p-value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age (IQR) | 72 (62–79) | 74 (65–81) | 0.016 |
| Male (%) | 116 (58.9) | 133(61.5) | 0.603 |
| Female (%) | 81 (41.1) | 83 (38.5) | |
| Not reported | 175 (88.8) | 150 (69.4) | <0.001 |
| Severe* (%) | 15 (7.6) | 32 (14.8) | |
| Right hemicolectomy | 80 (40.6) | 101 (46.8) | 0.208 |
| Extended right hemicolectomy | 8(4.1) | 17(7.9) | 0.033 |
| Left hemicolectomy | 26 (13.2) | 19 (8.8) | 0.152 |
| Hartmann’s procedure | 10 (5.1) | 14 (6.5) | 0.542 |
| Rectosigmoid resection | 4 (2) | 8 (3.7) | 0.312 |
| Low anterior resection | 13 (6.6) | 8 (3.7) | 0.181 |
| Sigmoid resection | 46 (23.4) | 38 (17.6) | 0.147 |
| Subtotal colectomy | 2 (1) | 5 (2.3) | 0.298 |
| Total colectomy | 5 (2.5) | 3 (1.4) | 0.396 |
| Segmental resections of the colon | 4(2) | 2(0.9) | 0.007 |
| Other procedures | 1 (0.5) | 2 (0.9) | 0.613 |
Comparison of the scores for all the scales of the EORTC QLQ-C30 by sex.
| Male | Female | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical functions | 82.9 (19.1) | 87 (80–100) | 116 | 83.1 (21.8) | 93 (80–100) | 81 | 0.584 |
| Role functions | 84.1 (23.2) | 100 (67–100) | 115 | 80.7 (31.2) | 100 (67–100) | 81 | 0.982 |
| Cognitive functions | 89.8 (15.2) | 100 (83–100) | 116 | 83.5 (21) | 83 (67–100) | 81 | |
| Emotional functions | 85.7 (14.9) | 92 (75–100) | 116 | 80 (17.5) | 83 (75–92) | 81 | |
| Social functions | 81.5 (22.7) | 83 (67–100) | 116 | 82.9 (25.8) | 100 (67–100) | 81 | 0.329 |
| Dyspnea | 6 (16.2) | 0 (0–0) | 116 | 6.5 (16.1) | 0 (0–0) | 81 | 0.570 |
| Insomnia | 21.2 (26.9) | 0 (0–33) | 116 | 24.2 (28.4) | 33 (0–33) | 81 | 0.450 |
| Loss of appetite | 4.3 (15.6) | 0 (0–0) | 115 | 7.5 (19.1) | 0 (0–0) | 80 | 0.115 |
| Nausea and vomiting | 3.1 (8.7) | 0 (0–0) | 115 | 2.7 (7.3) | 0 (0–0) | 80 | 0.934 |
| Constipation | 13.6 (22.9) | 0 (0–33) | 115 | 12.7 (22) | 0 (0–33) | 81 | 0.903 |
| Diarrhea | 12.8 (22) | 0 (0–33) | 115 | 12.3 (23.8) | 0 (0–33) | 81 | 0.641 |
| Fatigue | 19.9 (21) | 11 (0–33) | 116 | 25.5 (23.5) | 22 (0–33) | 81 | 0.110 |
| Pain | 12.3 (19.8) | 0 (0–17) | 114 | 15.8 (24.4) | 0 (0–22) | 81 | 0.338 |
| Financial impact of disease | 13.5 (26.7) | 0 (0–33) | 116 | 15.4 (26.5) | 0 (0–33) | 80 | 0.441 |
| Global health status | 68.1 (21.4) | 67 (50–83) | 116 | 68.6 (19.3) | 67 (50–83) | 81 | 0.903 |
Comparison of the scores for all the scales of the EORTC QLQ-CR29 by age groups
| Age 39–73 years | Age 74–92 years | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urinary frequency | 24.7 (25.2) | 17 (0–33) | 97 | 33 (23.3) | 33 (17–50) | 99 | |
| Urinary incontinence | 5.9 (15.1) | 0 (0–0) | 98 | 12.4 (19.9) | 0 (0–33) | 98 | |
| Dysuria | 3 (9.6) | 0 (0–0) | 98 | 4.4 (13.2) | 0 (0–0) | 98 | 0.607 |
| Abdominal pain | 8.8 (14.6) | 0 (0–33) | 98 | 14.1 (20.2) | 0 (0–33) | 99 | 0.087 |
| Buttock pain | 7.8 (20.2) | 0 (0–0) | 98 | 13.7 (22.3) | 0 (0–33) | 99 | |
| Bloating | 19.6 (23.3) | 0 (0–33) | 98 | 23.5 (27.1) | 33 (0–33) | 99 | 0.404 |
| Blood & mucus in stool | 4.1 (14) | 0 (0–0) | 98 | 2.8 (8.2) | 0 (0–0) | 99 | 0.938 |
| Dry mouth | 18.7 (24.2) | 0 (0–33) | 98 | 26.2 (28.7) | 33 (0–33) | 99 | 0.069 |
| Hair loss | 4.4 (14) | 0 (0–0) | 98 | 2 (7.9) | 0 (0–0) | 99 | 0.193 |
| Taste | 7.1 (17.4) | 0 (0–0) | 98 | 9.5 (22.4) | 0 (0–0) | 98 | 0.648 |
| Flatulence | 22.2 (27.3) | 3 (0–33) | 81 | 30.7 (31) | 33 (0–33) | 77 | 0.068 |
| Fecal incontinence | 5.3 (14.4) | 0 (0–0) | 81 | 8.5 (20.4) | 0 (0–0) | 78 | 0.329 |
| Sore skin | 14.9 (23) | 0 (0–33) | 80 | 17 (24.4) | 0 (0–33) | 78 | 0.566 |
| Stool frequency | 12.3 (18.2) | 0 (0–17) | 82 | 11.2 (16.7) | 0 (0–17) | 78 | 0.860 |
| Embarrassment | 7.8 (17.7) | 0 (0–0) | 81 | 9.7 (21) | 0 (0–0) | 75 | 0.550 |
| Anxiety | 51.4 (30.1) | 67 (33–67) | 98 | 56.8 (26.1) | 67 (33–67) | 97 | 0.227 |
| Weight | 74.6 (30.8) | 100 (67–100) | 98 | 83.7 (25.4) | 100 (67–100) | 98 | |
| Body image | 84.9 (22.8) | 100 (78–100) | 98 | 88.8 (17.7) | 100 (78–100) | 98 | 0.156 |
Comparison of the scores for all scales of the EORTC QLQ-C30 between CRC patients and the general Slovenian population
| Colorectal patients | General Slovenian population M (SD) | p-value | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min | Max | M (SD) | Me (IQR) | n | |||
| Physical functions | 0 | 100 | 83 (20.2) | 87 (80–100) | 197 | 91.8 (14) | |
| Role functions | 0 | 100 | 82.7 (26.8) | 100 (67–100) | 196 | 88.7 (20.1) | |
| Cognitive functions | 0 | 100 | 87.2 (18.1) | 100 (83–100) | 197 | 90.2 (16) | |
| Emotional functions | 0 | 100 | 83.4 (16.2) | 83 (75–100) | 197 | 82 (18.5) | 0.239 |
| Social functions | 0 | 100 | 82.1 (24) | 100 (67–100) | 197 | 90.9 (17.3) | |
| Dyspnea | 0 | 100 | 6.2 (16.1) | 0 (0–0) | 197 | 5.3 (15.3) | 0.928 |
| Insomnia | 0 | 100 | 22.4 (27.5) | 0 (0–33) | 197 | 19.8 (25.1) | 0.182 |
| Loss of appetite | 0 | 100 | 5.6 (17.2) | 0 (0–0) | 195 | 5.3 (15.5) | 0.791 |
| Nausea and vomiting | 0 | 50 | 2.9 (8.1) | 0 (0–0) | 195 | 3.3 (10.6) | 0.524 |
| Constipation | 0 | 100 | 13.2 (22.5) | 0 (0–33) | 196 | 6.9 (16.9) | |
| Diarrhea | 0 | 100 | 12.6 (22.7) | 0 (0–33) | 196 | 4.2 (13.6) | |
| Fatigue | 0 | 100 | 22.2 (22.2) | 22 (0–33) | 197 | 19.8 (19.8) | 0.126 |
| Pain | 0 | 100 | 13.8 (21.8) | 0 (0–17) | 195 | 14.5 (20.2) | 0.633 |
| Financial impact of disease | 0 | 100 | 14.2 (26.6) | 0 (0–33) | 196 | 6.6 (17.5) | |
| Global health status | 17 | 100 | 68.3 (20.5) | 67 (50–83) | 197 | 71.1 (21.4) | 0.058 |
Comparison of the scores for all the scales of the EORTC QLQ-CR29 by sex
| Male | Female | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M (SD) | Me (IQR) | n | M (SD) | Me (IQR) | n | p-value | |
| Urinary frequency | 29.4 (2.8) | 33 (0–50) | 115 | 28.1 (24.4) | 33 (17–33) | 81 | 0.670 |
| Urinary incontinence | 9.1 (18.3) | 0 (0–0) | 116 | 9.1 (17.5) | 0 (0–0) | 80 | 0.941 |
| Dysuria | 4.6 (13.1) | 0 (0–0) | 115 | 2.4 (8.7) | 0 (0–0) | 81 | 0.266 |
| Abdominal pain | 10.5 (16.7) | 0 (0–33) | 116 | 12.7 (19.4) | 0 (0–33) | 81 | 0.548 |
| Buttock pain | 12.3 (22.2) | 0 (0–33) | 116 | 8.6 (20.3) | 0 (0–0) | 81 | 0.123 |
| Bloating | 18.9 (24.5) | 0 (0–33) | 116 | 25.4 (26) | 33 (0–33) | 81 | |
| Blood & mucus in stool | 3.4 (11.7) | 0 (0–0) | 116 | 3.5 (11.1) | 0 (0–0) | 81 | 0.939 |
| Dry mouth | 21 (25.2) | 16.5 (0–33) | 116 | 24.7 (28.8) | 0 (0–33) | 81 | 0.503 |
| Hair loss | 1.4 (6.7) | 0 (0–0) | 116 | 5.7 (15.5) | 0 (0–0) | 81 | |
| Taste | 6 (16.2) | 0 (0–0) | 116 | 11.6 (24.3) | 0 (0–0) | 80 | 0.090 |
| Flatulence | 25.7 (29.8) | 33 (0–33) | 88 | 27.1 (29.1) | 33 (0–33) | 70 | 0.651 |
| Fecal incontinence | 6.7 (18.2) | 0 (0–0) | 89 | 7.1 (16.8) | 0 (0–0) | 70 | 0.569 |
| Sore skin | 14 (22.4) | 0 (0–33) | 88 | 18.5 (25.1) | 0 (0–33) | 70 | 0.212 |
| Stool frequency | 11.8 (18.3) | 0 (0–17) | 89 | 11.6 (16.4) | 0 (0–17) | 71 | 0.772 |
| Embarrassment | 8.3 (18.3) | 0 (0–0) | 88 | 9.3 (20.6) | 0 (0–0) | 68 | 0.925 |
| Anxiety | 57.1 (29.1) | 67 (33–67) | 114 | 49.8 (26.6) | 67 (33–67) | 81 | 0.069 |
| Weight | 78.7 (28.1) | 100 (67–100) | 115 | 79.9 (29.2) | 100 (67–100) | 81 | 0.563 |
| Body image | 86.5 (20.2) | 100 (78–100) | 115 | 87.3 (21) | 100 (78–100) | 81 | 0.708 |
Comparison of the scores for all the scales of the EORTC QLQ-C30 by age groups
| Age 39–73 years | Age 74 –92 years | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical functions | 87.5 (16.3) | 93 (80–100) | 98 | 78.6 (22.7) | 87 (67–93) | 99 | |
| Role functions | 82.2 (28.7) | 100 (67–100) | 97 | 83.2 (24.9) | 100 (67–100) | 99 | 0.724 |
| Cognitive functions | 89.3 (15) | 100 (83–100) | 98 | 85.1 (20.5) | 100 (83–100) | 99 | 0.268 |
| Emotional functions | 85 (14.7) | 83 (75–100) | 98 | 81.7 (17.5) | 83 (75–92) | 99 | 0.218 |
| Social functions | 84.7 (23.3) | 100 (67–100) | 98 | 79.5 (24.5) | 83 (67–100) | 99 | 0.069 |
| Dyspnea | 3 (9.6) | 0 (0–0) | 98 | 9.4 (20.2) | 0 (0–0) | 99 | |
| Insomnia | 16.6 (23.5) | 0 (0–33) | 98 | 28.2 (29.9) | 33 (0–33) | 99 | |
| Loss of appetite | 6.4 (18.3) | 0 (0–0) | 98 | 4.8 (15.9) | 0 (0–0) | 97 | 0.511 |
| Nausea and vomiting | 2.9 (7.9) | 0 (0–0) | 98 | 2.9 (8.4) | 0 (0–0) | 97 | 0.993 |
| Constipation | 11.6 (22.6) | 0 (0–33) | 97 | 14.7 (22.4) | 0 (0–33) | 99 | 0.177 |
| Diarrhea | 10.8 (20.9) | 0 (0–33) | 97 | 14.4 (24.3) | 0 (0–33) | 99 | 0.286 |
| Fatigue | 20.9 (22.7) | 22 (0–33) | 98 | 23.6 (21.7) | 22 (0–33) | 99 | 0.228 |
| Pain | 11.5 (21.6) | 0 (0–17) | 98 | 16.1 (21.9) | 0 (0–33) | 97 | 0.061 |
| Financial impact of disease | 18.7 (29.9) | 0 (0–33) | 98 | 9.8 (22) | 0 (0–0) | 98 | 0.025 |
| Global health status | 69.8 (22.4) | 75 (50–83) | 98 | 66.8 (18.5) | 67 (50–83) | 99 | 0.132 |