Factors influencing early postoperative health-related quality of life in patients with alimentary system cancer.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in early postoperative health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with gastrointestinal cancer and to examine the factors influencing such changes.

METHODS

Participants were 106 patients scheduled for elective surgery for gastrointestinal cancer (61 male and 45 females; aged 62.6 ± 12.0 years). HRQOL was evaluated using the Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey version 2 (SF-36) at two time points: 1-2 days prior to surgery (baseline) and 4 weeks after surgery. Clinical and social characteristics based on previous studies were investigated as potential factors influencing changes in early postoperative HRQOL.

RESULTS

Physical functioning, physical role functioning, bodily pain, vitality, social role functioning, and emotional role functioning significantly decreased at 4 weeks after surgery compared with baseline. Mental health at 4 weeks after surgery significantly improved compared with baseline. The scores on each SF-36 subscale at 4 weeks after surgery were significantly associated with gender, clinical stage of cancer, neoadjuvant therapy, surgical site, postoperative complications, HRQOL at baseline, and 6-min walk test at 4 weeks after surgery.

CONCLUSION

To increase early postoperative HRQOL in surgical patients with gastrointestinal cancer, it may be necessary to not only improve postoperative management but also increase exercise capacity after surgery and HRQOL before surgery.