Open AccessCombined quality of life and posttraumatic growth evaluation during follow‑up care of patients suffering from oral squamous cell carcinoma
Author(s) -
Georg Hoene,
Rudolf Gruber,
Johanna Josephine Leonhard,
Bernhard Wiechens,
Boris Schminke,
Philipp Kauffmann,
Henning Schliephake,
Phillipp Brockmeyer
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
molecular and clinical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.442
H-Index - 7
eISSN - 2049-9469
pISSN - 2049-9450
DOI - 10.3892/mco.2021.2351
Subject(s) - posttraumatic growth , quality of life (healthcare) , medicine , health related quality of life , clinical psychology , nursing , disease
Oral cancer therapy is associated with a loss in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and can also lead to post-traumatic growth (PTG). The current study analyzed the relationship between HRQOL, PTG and influencing clinical factors after treatment. The coherent clinical data of 15 patients were retrospectively analyzed over a 1-year study period. HRQOL and PTG were studied using the University of Washington Quality of Life Version 4 (UW-QOL v4) and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) questionnaires. The results revealed that HRQOL was significantly decreased in a pre- to postoperative manner (P=0.011). Sex demonstrated a nearly significant effect on HRQOL (P=0.058). PTG was experienced the most after surgery, and continuously decreased over the 1-year study period. Patient age had a significant effect on PTG (P=0.040). A significant correlation was also established between HRQOL and PTG (P<0.05). HRQOL and PTG are important influencing factors during postoperative tumor follow-up care and should be simultaneously recorded to address individual patient needs and improve quality of treatment.