Coping styles and quality of life in oral cancer patients undergoing radical resection and free flap reconstruction

Abstract

ObjectiveOral cancer is associated with functional impairment and changes in appearance due to disease progression and/or treatment. It therefore places a heavy psychological burden on patients. Coping styles of patients with cancer may affect their quality of life (QOL). However, there is limited research assessing this association. We aimed to clarify the relationship between coping styles and QOL in patients with oral cancer to underpin personalized patient care. MethodsPatients who underwent surgery with reconstruction for oral cancer between February 2017 and June 2021 were included in this study. Coping styles were assessed preoperatively using the Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MAC) scale. Mental and physical QOL was assessed preoperatively and at 3, 6 and 9 months postoperatively, using the Short Form-8 (SF-8) health survey. ResultsTwenty-seven patients completed the MAC and SF-8. The median (interquartile range) scores of MAC subscales summary positive adjustment (SPA) and summary negative adjustment were 48.0 (44.0–55.0) and 34.0 (29.0–38.0) points, respectively. The mental component summary (MCS) scores of the SF-8 at the preoperative assessment and 3, 6 and 9 months postoperatively were 47.2 (43.5–50.6), 45.2 (41.2–51.3), 48.4 (43.7–52.0) and 47.7 (43.2–51.0) points, respectively; the physical component summary scores were 47.2 (42.4–51.0), 41.9 (38.4–47.7), 44.8 (41.4–49.9) and 47.0 (42.9–50.0) points, respectively. A positive correlation was noted between the SPA and MCS preoperatively, and 3 and 9 months postoperatively. ConclusionsCoping style may have predictive value for oral cancer patients with low mental QOL.