Factors influencing quality of life in early-stage upper gastrointestinal cancer patients in Nanchong city: a qualitative study.

Objectives: To identify the determinants of quality of life (QoL) among early-stage upper gastrointestinal cancer (UGIC) patients in Nanchong City to inform the development of targeted treatment plans.

Methods: In this retrospective study, 642 patients diagnosed with UGIC were included. A phenomenological approach was employed, involving in-depth face-to-face interviews to explore patients' real-life experiences with QoL, with an emphasis on spiritual and psychological aspects. Data analysis followed Colaizzi's seven-step method. Statistical analyses included one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), t-tests, binary logistic regression, and Pearson correlation tests.

Results: QoL was significantly reduced in patients with early-stage GI cancer (P<0.001), with prevalent symptoms of anxiety and depression necessitating focused psychological interventions and enhanced medical care. Influential factors on QoL included income, health insurance coverage, illness duration, and levels of anxiety and depression (P<0.001). A strong negative correlation was observed between QoL scores and both the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (r=-0.7808, P<0.001) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (r=-0.7493, P<0.001).

Conclusion: This study underscores the substantial impact of anxiety and depression on the QoL of patients with early-stage UGIC. The findings provide a theoretical basis for implementing comprehensive long-term care strategies.