7 PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG HONG KONG CHINESE PATIENTS WITH RECTAL CANCER UNDERGOING CURATIVE LAPAROSCOPIC RESECTION

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) among Hong Kong Chinese patients with rectal cancer undergoing curative laparoscopic resection.Methods: Consecutive patients with rectal cancer undergoing curative laparoscopic resection were recruited into this prospective study. Their QoL was assessed using the validated Chinese version of two specific questionnaires (QLQ‐C30 and QLQ‐CR38) developed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer; these were completed before surgery and at 4, 8, and 12 months after surgery. The preoperative and postoperative QoL scores were compared, and potential factors affecting the QoL were analysed.Results: Forty‐six patients (32 male) recruited between September 2005 and March 2006 had completed the 8th‐month questionnaires. Longitudinally, there were no significant differences between the preoperative QoL and the QoL at 4 and 8 months after surgery. However, patients who underwent abdominoperineal resection had significantly worse QoL than patients who underwent sphincter‐saving surgery at 4 months (P = 0.012) and 8 months (P = 0.032). Patients who received adjuvant therapy had worse role functioning (P = 0.004) and cognitive functioning (P = 0.031) than patients who had no adjuvant therapy at 4 months onward until 8 months after surgery. Young patients (age < 65) had significantly better postoperative QoL (P = 0.015) and emotional functioning (P = 0.03) than older patients.Conclusions: Although there are no major differences between the overall preoperative and postoperative QoL scores among Hong Kong Chinese patients with rectal cancer undergoing curative laparoscopic resection, factors such as old age, abdominoperineal resection, and adjuvant therapy can adversely affect the postoperative QoL.