FACTORS INFLUENCING THE EARLY POSTOPERATIVE QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS TREATED SURGICALLY FOR GYNECOLOGICAL MALIGNANCIES
Journal
Acta Morphologica
Date Issued
2019
Author(s)
Jovanovska V
Tanturovski D
Stojchevski S
Aluloski I
Dodeva B
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Aim: To evaluate the influence of inherent patient characteristics on early postoperative
QoL in patients treated surgically for gynecological malignancies
Materials and methods: The study was designed as a prospective cohort study. Patients
scheduled for surgical treatment of a gynecological malignancy at the Department of
gynecological oncology at the University Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Skopje, in
the period January – December 2018. Quality of life was quantified using a standardized and
validated questionnaire (FACT-G) preoperatively and 1 month after surgical treatment. We
explored the effect of the following variables: age, BMI, nationality, education, marital status,
place of residence, employment, primary location of the neoplasm, disease stage, extent of
surgical resection, comorbidities and smoking.
Results: Data from 123 patients were included in the final analysis. The average age of
patients at the time of recruitment was 58±10 years (range 23-79 years). Eighty-four patients
(68.29%) had endometrial cancer, 22 (17.89%) patients had cervical cancer, while 17 (13.82%)
patients had ovarian cancer. Postoperative FACT-G scores were significantly lower (p=0.015).
A clinically relevant postoperative decrease in quality of life was identified in 51 patients
(41.5%). Independent predictors of deteriorated postoperative QoL in this study were:
advanced disease stage, extensive surgical resection, comorbidities and higher education.
Conclusion: The results illustrate the physical, psychological, and social effects of the
surgical treatment on the early postoperative QoL, thereby emphasizing the need for a
comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to the pre and postoperative care of these patients.
Aim: To evaluate the influence of inherent patient characteristics on early postoperative
QoL in patients treated surgically for gynecological malignancies
Materials and methods: The study was designed as a prospective cohort study. Patients
scheduled for surgical treatment of a gynecological malignancy at the Department of
gynecological oncology at the University Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Skopje, in
the period January – December 2018. Quality of life was quantified using a standardized and
validated questionnaire (FACT-G) preoperatively and 1 month after surgical treatment. We
explored the effect of the following variables: age, BMI, nationality, education, marital status,
place of residence, employment, primary location of the neoplasm, disease stage, extent of
surgical resection, comorbidities and smoking.
Results: Data from 123 patients were included in the final analysis. The average age of
patients at the time of recruitment was 58±10 years (range 23-79 years). Eighty-four patients
(68.29%) had endometrial cancer, 22 (17.89%) patients had cervical cancer, while 17 (13.82%)
patients had ovarian cancer. Postoperative FACT-G scores were significantly lower (p=0.015).
A clinically relevant postoperative decrease in quality of life was identified in 51 patients
(41.5%). Independent predictors of deteriorated postoperative QoL in this study were:
advanced disease stage, extensive surgical resection, comorbidities and higher education.
Conclusion: The results illustrate the physical, psychological, and social effects of the
surgical treatment on the early postoperative QoL, thereby emphasizing the need for a
comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to the pre and postoperative care of these patients.