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A Prospective longitudinal evaluation of quality of life after abdominoperineal resection
Author(s) -
Gervaz Pascal,
Bucher Pascal,
Konrad Béatrice,
Morel Philippe,
Beyeler Sonia,
Lataillade Laurence,
Allal Abdelkarim
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.20910
Subject(s) - medicine , abdominoperineal resection , quality of life (healthcare) , sexual function , prospective cohort study , stoma (medicine) , genitourinary system , surgery , cancer , physical therapy , colorectal cancer , nursing
Objective Abdominoperineal resection (APR) is a disfiguring procedure, frequently associated with significant urogenital dysfunction. The aim of this prospective study was to repeatedly assess quality of life (QoL) 1, 6, and 12 months after APR. Methods Twenty patients who underwent APR between June 2002 and September 2005 were considered for analysis. QoL was assessed using two self‐rating validated questionnaires developed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). Results All patients were free of recurrence at time of last interview. At 1‐year follow‐up patients reported significant improvement in global QoL [scores: 53 ± 23 (1 month) vs. 70 ± 15 (1 year), P = 0.01], and physical function (74 ± 16 vs. 91 ± 12, P = 0.001). Patients also reported significant improvement in symptoms such as fatigue (39 ± 30 vs. 15 ± 19, P = 0.01); and pain (33 ± 31 vs. 10 ± 14, P = 0.01). By contrast, there was no improvement at 1 year for the following items: body image (75 ± 33 vs. 75 ± 30, P = 0.99), sexual dysfunction (10 ± 21 vs. 21 ± 27, P = 0.40); and stoma‐related problems (19 ± 14 vs. 11 ± 28, P = 0.34). Conclusion One year after APR, patients demonstrated significant improvement in global QoL and tumor‐related symptoms, while body image remained significantly altered. Similarly, treatment‐related side effects did not improve over the time period considered. J. Surg. Oncol. 2008;97:14–19. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.