Patient-reported health-related quality of life after colorectal surgery

Abstract

Introduction: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. In most of these patients, quality of life is deteriorated.

Aim: The aim of our study was to analyze how the disease affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and to examine the role of demographic, disease-related, and other factors in the overall quality of life. The second aim was to identify areas where HRQoL could be improved.

Material and methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted. The study included a modified version of EQ-5D, as well as clinical and socioeconomic characteristics of the country. Patients over the age of 18, who had colorectar surgery, and were followed up at our clinic, were included in the survey.

Results: In patients after colorectal surgery, bowel control is a major concern that has an impact on their quality of life. The majority of patients expressed gratitude for the care they received and thanked the health-care providers for it. With the EQ-5D modified questionnaire, the concept of "perfect" health was reviewed and analyzed. A response "no difficulty" in any of the five domains was classified as perfect health. Only one-third of the patients said their health was “ideal” (no problems in any of the EQ-5D five domains).

Discussion: According to the results of this study, patients with CRC have considerably poorer HRQoL than the general population, as indicated by the EQ-5D utility scores. This discovery is in line with some previous research.

Conclusion: Colorectal surgery survivors' total HRQoL has been found to be lower than in the general population.