Quality of life of colorectal cancer patients: A cross-sectional study, Alexandria, Egypt

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Alexandria University

2 Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Statistics, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University

3 Department of Clinical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University

4 General Director of Alexandria Ayadi Al-Mostakbal Oncology Centre

Abstract

Introduction: The growing burden of cancer explicates an increasing global trend of 1% every year. Low- and Middle-Income countries report more than two-thirds of cancer mortality all over the world. In Egypt, colorectal cancer (CRC) was diagnosed in 14.0% of all patients who underwent colonoscopies. Little data is known about quality of life in CRC patients though it can be preventable with good prognosis. Objective: to assess colorectal cancer patients' quality of life (QoL) and recognize different factors affecting it. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among adult colorectal cancer patients as confirmed by the pathology report at least one year after their initial diagnosis. Patients were admitted to Alexandria University. We used the Arabic version of both general EORTC QLQ-C30 and colorectal cancer specific QLQ-C29 questionnaires. Results: One hundred-thirty-two patients completed the questionnaire. Average global health score was 41.4(95% CI 37.8 to 44.98). Multivariate analysis revealed the average global health score increased by 14.69% in educated patients compared to non-educated patients 95% CI (8.2 to 21.2). However, it was reduced by 40.88% in patients who received multiple treatment modalities compared to those who received single treatment (95% CI -35.5 to -26.5). Conclusion and recommendation: Average global health score was generally low. Patients with stoma suffered worse symptoms scales than those without stoma. Early detection programs to improve prognosis as well as better palliative care strategies are urgently needed especially among patients with low socio-demographic characteristics to further improve their QoL

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