Factors affecting health-related quality of life among patients with colorectal cancer using the european organization for research and treatment of cancer quality of life core questionnaire-CR29

Abstract

Introduction: The deterioration of health caused by colorectal Cancer (CRC) and its treatment leads to physiological, functional, and social damage impairing a CRC patient's health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The study was done to estimate the factors affecting the HR QoL among patients with CRC. Methodology: Fifty-four CRC patients who had completed the treatment with surgery/chemotherapy/radiotherapy in a peripheral Medical College between May 2021 and April 2022 were enrolled. The objective was to assess patient's perceived global health status and QoL (GHS/QoL), functional outcomes, and symptoms measured by the European organization for research and treatment of cancer Quality of life questionnaire core (QLQ-C30) and the CRC-specific QLQ-CR29 and to determine the demographics, clinical, treatment factors and symptom scales of the QLQ-C30/QLQ-CR29 that are associated with of GHS/QoL in patients with CRC Results: The mean age was 46 years, 59% were male, 41% had other long-term medical conditions, an ostomy was present in 30% and 41% of respondents had multimodal CRC treatment with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. The final analysis of stepwise multiple regression revealed that four variables namely physical functioning, sexual interest, body image, and fatigue remained significant independent predictors of overall HRQoL score in CRC survivors accounting for 67.4% of the variation in overall HRQoL. Physical functioning made the strongest contribution. Women, at the extremes of the age groups (≥60 years), with an ostomy, without a spouse/partner, and those with other medical conditions in addition reported poorer functioning, symptoms, or overall HRQoL. Conclusions: The current study identifies factors associated with overall HRQoL among CRC survivors. Functional capacity and CRC-related problems were most strongly associated with overall HRQoL among CRC survivors. Greater efforts to identify CRC-related symptoms and diminished physical functional capacity among CRC survivors are warranted in an attempt to improve their overall HRQoL.