Prospective evaluation of health-related quality of life in a homogeneous Mediterranean group of colorectal cancer patients.

This study was designed to prospectively evaluate health-related quality of life in a homogeneous Mediterranean group of colorectal cancer patients. Ninety-five colorectal cancer patients were preoperatively assessed and followed-up with by skilled investigators using the Short Form-36 Health Survey questionnaire. Overall, patients showed deterioration in all domains, except for pain, when baseline values were compared with 3 and 6 months postoperatively (P = 0.0001). A significant improvement of all Short Form-36 Health Survey questionnaire domains was noted between 6 and 12 months (P = 0.0001). Scores for general health, pain, emotional well-being, and role limitations due to emotional problems at 1 year were shown better than preoperative (P < 0.001). Improved scores in role limitations due to physical health and emotional problems were found at baseline and at 1 year, when laparoscopic were compared with open resections (P < 0.05). Patients that received chemotherapy proved to be more vulnerable regarding their energy, social functioning, and role limitations at 3 months (P < 0.05), whereas older patients had diminished physical functioning at 3 and 6 and 12 months (P < 0.05) postoperatively. Greek colorectal cancer patients remain fragile up to 6 months after surgery, with significant improvements at 1 year, whereas certain aspects of health-related quality of life at 1 year may be even better than before surgery.