Prospective analysis of quality of life in the first year after colorectal cancer surgery

Abstract

Little is known of how the quality of life (QOL) of patients with colorectal cancer changes with time following an operation, and whether or not there are predictors of QOL after one year in this population. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 QOL questionnaire was administered to patients before their operation for colorectal cancer, and monthly following the operation for up to one year. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to examine the predictors of QOL one year after the operation. One hundred patients with a mean age of 64 years participated. The scores of five QOL dimensions (physical function, role function, fatigue, pain, and dyspnoea) dropped significantly below the preoperative values at one month following the operation. The scores returned to the preoperative values within three months following the operation. The scores of seven QOL dimensions (global QOL, emotional function, social function, insomnia, appetite loss, diarrhea, and financial difficulties) had improved within three months after the operation. Other scores, including cognitive function, nausea and vomiting, and constipation remained unchanged. Stepwise regression analyses showed that preoperative performance status predicted various QOL scales one year following the operation. The overall QOL of colorectal cancer patients became stabilized about three months after the operation.