Better Overall Quality Of Life Research Articles

Fear of disease progression in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).

10549 Background: GIST are rare tumors and before 2000 patients had a dismal prognosis when metastasized. Since the introduction of imatinib and other tyrosine kinase inhibitors overall survival has increased from less than 1 year before 2001 to more than 5 years now. Research on psychosocial consequences for this particular cancer type is scarce. This study focuses on quality of life and fear of disease progression in GIST patients. Methods: Eighty patients with locally advanced or metastatic GIST, being treated with imatinib or sunitinib, from the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre in the Netherlands were asked to participate. Patients completed self-report questionnaires including the EORTC-QLQ-C30, the Cancer Worry Scale, and the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory. Results: Fifty two patients (median age 64.2; range 22-84 years) completed the questionnaires. Two subgroups were identified: patients with locally advanced (n= 27) and metastatic GIST (n= 25). Overall, GIST patients demonstrate a good global quality of life (EORTC-QLQ-C30 mean global health 76.1). However, 50% of them (n= 26) experienced high levels of fear of cancer progression (CWS cut-off point ≥ 14). High levels of fear were not associated with age, gender or between patients with locally advanced or metastatic GIST. Subgroup analyses revealed that patients with high levels of fear of disease progression showed significantly higher levels of psychological distress related to fear of cancer progression and more functional impairments including domains that can be disturbed by fear of cancer progression (e.g. work, daily and social activities, the ability to make future plans or set life goals). Conclusions: Despite a good overall quality of life, a substantial percentage of GIST patients experience high levels of fear of cancer progression, experiencing more psychological distress and more functional impairments compared to patients with low levels of fear. No relation was found with demographic variables nor with stage of disease. This research demonstrates that it is necessary to focus on more specific rather than general quality of life of GIST patients.

Effects of Duty Hour Restrictions on Core Competencies, Education, Quality of Life, and Burnout Among General Surgery Interns

To measure the implications of the new Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education duty hour regulations for education, well-being, and burnout. Longitudinal study. Eleven university-based general surgery residency programs from July 2011 to May 2012. Two hundred thirteen surgical interns. Perceptions of the impact of the new duty hours on various aspects of surgical training, including the 6 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education core competencies, were measured on 3-point scales. Quality of life, burnout, balance between personal and professional life, and career satisfaction were measured using validated instruments. Half of all interns felt that the duty hour changes have decreased the coordination of patient care (53%), their ability to achieve continuity with hospitalized patients (70%), and their time spent in the operating room (57%). Less than half (44%) of interns believed that the new standards have decreased resident fatigue. In longitudinal analysis, residents' beliefs had significantly changed in 2 categories: less likely to believe that practice-based learning and improvement had improved and more likely to report no change to resident fatigue (P < .01, χ2 tests). The majority (82%) of residents reported a neutral or good overall quality of life. Compared with the normal US population, 50 interns (32%) were 0.5 SD less than the mean on the 8-item Short Form Health Survey mental quality of life score. Approximately one-third of interns demonstrated weekly symptoms of emotional exhaustion (28%) or depersonalization (28%) or reported that their personal-professional balance was either "very poor" or "not great" (32%). Although many interns (67%) reported that they daily or weekly reflect on their satisfaction from being a surgeon, 1 in 7 considered giving up their career as a surgeon on at least a weekly basis. The first cohort of surgical interns to train under the new regulations report decreased continuity with patients, coordination of patient care, and time spent in the operating room. Furthermore, suboptimal quality of life, burnout, and thoughts of giving up surgery were common, even under the new paradigm of reduced work hours.

San Antonio As a Face of the Future

San Antonio As a Face of the Future

Colpohystérectomie élargie par voie cœlioscopique dans les cancers du col utérin : étude de qualité de vie. À propos de 22 cas

ObjectiveLaparoscopic radical hysterectomy is currently the surgical treatment of cervical cancer. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of patients with cervical cancer treated by radical hysterectomy by laparoscopy. Patients and methodsQuality of life was evaluated in 22 patients with cervical cancer (FIGO stade IB1-IIB) treated by laparoscopic radical hysterectomy. The study employed two types of survey questionnaires: EORTC QLQ-C 30 and QLQ-OV 28. ResultsAfter a median follow-up of 25 months (range: 12-48 months), the average global health scores and quality of life after the surgery was high, indicating a good overall quality of life. The symptoms most commonly implicated were fatigue and insomnia. The average symptom scores (abdominal, peripheral neuropathy, side effects of chemotherapy) was low, meaning little inconvenience. It noted, however, an exception for the symptoms of menopause that generate significant discomfort in several patients. Among patients with a regular sexual activity, most described a change in frequency and quality of reporting. Discussion and conclusionsPatients with cervical cancer treated by laparoscopy have good overall quality of life. The function that is most affected by the treatment in the majority of patients is sexual function. A comparative prospective study with laparotomy would be necessary.

Enduring as Lived Experience: Exploring the Essence of Spiritual Resilience for Women in Late Life

The purpose of this study was to explore spirituality and its relationship to resilience for women in late life. Over thirty interviews with six women aged 80 and older provide a dataset allowing for the phenomenological investigation of spiritual resilience. Themes emerged illustrating the components of spiritual resilience. The components of spiritual resilience are having divine support, maintaining purpose, and expressing gratitude. These factors are essential to the women's resilience and act as mechanisms that promote high levels of subjective well-being and an overall good quality of life. Essentially, participants articulate how their experiences of enduring hardships are informed by spiritual resilience.

Weighing Bone-targeted Treatment Options for Patients with Solid Tumours and Skeletal Complications from Metastatic Disease

The complications of metastatic bone disease (MBD) in advanced cancer, especially skeletal-related events (SREs), are a significant cause of morbidity that can seriously impair the quality of patients’ lives. Treatments that prevent SREs, reduce or delay the onset of pain and preserve function and activities of daily living are central to good patient care. In this article, we discuss results from clinical trials that show the relative benefits and harms of different bone-targeted agents, which may be given orally, intravenously or subcutaneously. These data, when considered alongside various patient characteristics, can provide oncologists with better opportunities to individualise care. Optimal management with treatments that enhance efficacy and adherence mean that clinicians can improve the outlook for their patients with MBD, who may consequently experience fewer SREs and less pain and enjoy a better overall quality of life.

P5-17-08: The Value of Progression-Free Survival from the Patient Perspective: An Online Survey of Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer in the United States.

Abstract Background: While PFS indicates the period of time a patient's’ disease does not progress, there is debate about the relative value of longer PFS in the absence of a meaningful difference in OS. However, there are no known published reports about the value of PFS from the patient's perspective. Material and Methods: This was a 2 -part project consisting of instrument development (via focus groups) and cross-sectional administration to 2 groups of women, those who had vs. those who had not experienced disease progression. Based on input from 19 women with MBC in the US, we developed an MBC-specific questionnaire (MBC-P). The questionnaire focuses on unique aspects relevant to MBC patients including concerns about the future, social isolation, fear, activity limitations, mental health, social functioning, and activity limitations. The MBC-P also presented descriptions of two hypothetical treatments: Treatment X, associated with 12 mos of PFS and Treatment Y with 16 mos of PFS, which had the same side effect profile. Respondents were asked to state which treatment was associated with better overall quality of life (O-QOL), physical functioning (PF), emotional well being (EWB), and which treatment was preferred. We compared mean scores at the item level for respondents based on progression status. One final aspect of the questionnaire asked respondents to rate (on a 0— 100 scale) O-QOL, PF, EWB at the time of initial breast cancer (BC) diagnosis, MBC diagnosis, and MBC progression (if applicable). Ethics approval was obtained. Results: 282 women completed the survey [mean age: 50 yrs (range: 21–80)]; 56% had experienced progressive disease. Women whose disease had progressed were more likely (p &amp;lt; 0.05) to report putting their life on hold, worrying about there not being a treatment that will work, feeling less confident about their treatment, and experiencing greater limitations in recreational or physical activities and accomplishing things/tasks. For the hypothetical descriptions, no differences emerged based on progression status. Despite being told that side effects and OS were the same for both scenarios, significantly more women responded that treatment Y (vs. treatment X) would result in better QOL, physical functioning, and emotional well being. Additionally, 88% of respondents preferred treatment Y over treatment X. Ratings for different stages of disease on O-QOL, PF and EWB were lowest the first time a woman was told her MBC had progressed and highest when told she had responded to treatment (O-QOL: 58 vs. 77; PF: 61 vs. 71; EWB: 51 vs. 77). Discussion: The MBC-P questionnaire was developed with input from women with MBC and is a useful tool to evaluate the value of PFS from the patient's perspective. Women with MBC whose cancer had progressed were more limited in areas pertaining to treatment and activity limitations compared to women who had not experienced progression. Surprisingly, even when told that side effects and OS were similar, women rated O-QOL, PF, and EWB as being better for a hypothetical drug that provided 4 additional months of PFS. Results should be confirmed with a larger, more diverse sample of MBC patients and eventually in a prospective study. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-17-08.

Awareness, knowledge, and attitudes with respect to epilepsy: An investigation in relation to health-related quality of life within a Malaysian setting

The influence of awareness, knowledge, and attitudes (AKA) on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with epilepsy has not been widely established. The aims of this preliminary study were to (1) assess general AKA and HRQoL levels, (2) correlate AKA and HRQoL levels, and (3) compare the HRQoL of patients with epilepsy with different AKA levels. A cross-sectional sample of outpatients with epilepsy were recruited from the Neurology Clinic, Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. Data analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 15 employing descriptive and nonparametric statistics. On written consent, included patients completed the Malay AKA Epilepsy and the Malay Quality of Life in Epilepsy-30 (MQOLIE-30) instruments. Across all patients, both AKA levels (median: 80.0, range: 0–170) and overall HRQoL (median 51.5; range 15–97) were moderate. Awareness was significantly correlated only with Seizure Worry ( r s = + 0.29, p < 0.05), whereas Knowledge was not significantly linked to any domain. However, Attitudes was significantly correlated with all domains ( r s = + 0.35 to + 0.47, p < 0.01) except Medication Effects and Seizure Worry. Patients with good AKA levels (Total Score ≥ median) experienced significantly better Overall Quality of Life and Cognitive Functioning ( p < 0.05). Findings showed that AKA may play an important role in influencing patients’ HRQoL, suggesting that epilepsy treatment efforts should also focus on enhancing AKA through epilepsy awareness to improve health outcomes.

Quality of life following limb-salvage surgery for bone sarcomas

Limb-salvage surgery and reconstruction of bone defects is challenging in orthopedic oncology. Evaluation and improvement of the quality of life in these patients is difficult. Currently available metrics of function include clinical measures such as range of motion and muscle strength, measures of activities of daily living, scales that combine both clinical measures and activities of daily living, the original and the revised version of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Rating Scale, which includes symptoms, mobility and use of assistive devices, generic health status measures such as the Sickness Impact Profile, and the Reintegration to Normal Living, a measure of handicap. Most bone sarcoma survivors manage well; they are able to work and have an overall good quality of life, having adjusted to their physical limitations. To enhance the literature, we summarize the results of previous studies reporting on the quality of life after limb-salvage surgery of the upper and lower limb, discuss the complications and outcomes, and present our long-term experience and future view.

Age-Related Differences in the Quality of Life of Chinese Women Undergoing Adjuvant Therapy for Breast Cancer

A cross-sectional descriptive design was used in this study to compare the quality of life of younger (<60) and older (≥60) Chinese women undergoing adjuvant therapy for breast cancer. A total of 261 patients completed a self-report survey on their demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy for Breast Cancer and the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey-Chinese version. Stepwise regression was used for secondary analysis. Significant differences between the two groups were established in the total score (p = 0.049), and the physical well-being (p = 0.048), emotional well-being (p = 0.014), and breast cancer (p < 0.001) subscales after adjustment for potential confounding variables. The older group had better overall quality of life, physical and emotional well-being, and higher breast cancer subscale scores than the younger group. However, health care professionals need to be aware of the confounding factors identified and of certain cultural values, which may also influence the quality of life of these older patients.

Current status of metal stents for managing malignant ureteric obstruction

Obstruction of the ureters caused by extrinsic compression from a primary tumour or retroperitoneal lymph node masses is not unusual in the course of advanced pelvic malignancies. Most of the cases are of gynaecological or gastrointestinal origin, and the situation can be aggravated by peri-ureteric fibrosis, a long-term adverse event of previous chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Undoubtedly upper urinary tract decompression and maintenance of ureteric patency, even as a palliative measure, is important in managing these patients. Options for upper tract decompression include percutaneous nephrostomy, retrograde stenting and open urinary diversion. Plastic stents have long been used for managing malignant ureteric obstruction, but their overall success remains limited. Plastic stents often fail to be placed correctly, require regular exchange, and are faced with a high incidence of encrustation and migration. For these reasons plastic stents have been unsuccessful for long-term maintenance of ureteric patency. To overcome these limitations metal stents were introduced and recently developed in an effort to ensure better long-term patency of the obstructed ureter, fewer hospital admissions for stent change and better overall quality of life. In the present review the clinical applications of different types of metal stents are discussed, with a specific focus on the latest advances and the future options for managing malignant ureteric obstruction.

Socioeconomic, Anthropomorphic, and Demographic Predictors of Adult Sexual Activity in the United States: Data from the National Survey of Family Growth

Individuals who engage in regular sexual intercourse are more likely to report good overall quality of life. Studies of sexuality in adolescents have focused on high-risk behaviors whereas similar studies in older adults have focused on sexual dysfunction. Given a paucity of data on the sexual behaviors of young adults and the possibility of important relationships between sexuality and overall health, we sought to determine factors that influence the frequency of intercourse in adult men and women in the United States. To identify factors related to coital frequency in young and middle-aged adults. We analyzed data from the male and female sample of the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth to examine frequency of sexual intercourse among Americans aged 25-45 years (men: N = 2,469; women: N = 5,120). Multivariable negative binomial regression modeling was used to test for independent associations between the frequency of sexual intercourse and demographic, socioeconomic, and anthropometric variables. In this study, men and women between the ages of 25 and 45 have sex a mean 5.7 and 6.4 times per month, respectively. Being married significantly increased coital frequency for women but has no effect on male coital frequency. Increased height, less than high school education, and younger age were predictive of increased sexual frequency in men. Pregnancy was associated with significantly lower coital frequency for both men and women. No association was shown between self-reported health status and coital frequency on multivariable analysis. Among young male adults, coital frequency is associated with specific socioeconomic, demographic, and anthropomorphic characteristics. Sexual frequency in women does not appear to be influenced by such factors. Self-reported health is not predictive of sexual activity in this age group.

Sexuality, an important component of the quality of life of the kidney transplant recipient

People who receive a kidney transplant experience overall better quality of life (QOL) than those on dialysis. However, one area of QOL that does not seem to improve after transplant is sexuality. The purposes of this review were to evaluate the literature specific to sexuality after kidney and kidney/pancreas transplant, identify gaps in the literature, and suggest directions for future research. Sources for this review included studies published in nursing and medical journals as well as studies from the related fields of social work and psychology. This literature review revealed several factors that may affect posttransplant sexuality and sexual functioning including chronic illnesses, pretransplant dialysis, and medication side effects. In addition, numerous studies have shown that problems with sexual functioning are prevalent in the transplant population affecting up to 50% of kidney transplant recipients. These problems have a strong negative association with QOL and life satisfaction. Future research should focus on identifying the specific sexual concerns of kidney transplant recipients and on the development and testing of interventions to help alleviate these concerns.

Effect of excess body weight on quality of life and satisfaction with body image among middle-aged Lithuanian inhabitants of Kaunas city

The aim of the study was to identify the effect of overweight, obesity, and conditions related to body weight on quality of life and to assess the relationship between body weight and satisfaction with body image between middle-aged Lithuanian inhabitants of Kaunas city. MATERIAL AND METHODS. A random sample of 1403 Kaunas men and women, aged 35-64 years and stratified by age and sex, was examined in 2001-2002. Response rate was 62.4%. Examination included physical measurements and information on risk factors related to lifestyle. Quality of life was assessed by World Health Organization Quality of Life 100 questionnaire. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify the effect of excess body weight and conditions linked to body weight on quality of life. RESULTS. Less than three-fourths (73%) of men and women had excess body weight (body mass index, > or =25.0 kg/m(2)). Obesity in a complex with other analyzed factors had a negative effect on men's quality of life in the independence domain as compared to ones with BMI of <25.0 kg/m(2) (OR=1.87; 95% CI=1.08-3.26). Obesity for women increased the odds of having worse quality of life in the psychological and independence domains. Mean scores of body image and appearance facet for men with normal body mass were 73.5, for overweigh ones 72.2, and for obese 66.8 (for women 69.9, 63.3, and 52.9, respectively; P=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS. Among women excess body weight was associated with impaired quality of life. Men with excess body weight reported better overall quality of life. Obese persons were less satisfied with their body image as compared to ones with normal body weight.

Use of the Italian version of the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire in the daily practice: results of a prospective study

BackgroundAsthma is a serious global health problem and its prevalence is increasing, especially among children. It represents a significant social and economic burden, and it can severely affect the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients. Among the numerous questionnaires aiming at evaluating asthma HRQL in children, the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) has proved to have good measurement properties.The present study was aimed at investigating the possible role of the Italian, self-administered version of the PAQLQ in the routine clinical evaluation of children affected by bronchial asthma.Methods52 Italian children and adolescents (40 males and 12 females), aged 6 to 17 years, affected by allergic asthma, were enrolled. Each patient was evaluated twice, and at each visit asthma control and severity were assessed, spirometry was performed and the patients completed the self-administered version of the PAQLQ.ResultsThe questionnaire was well-accepted and understood by the children. Children showed an overall good quality of life, with mild impairment in the activity and emotional function domains. The PAQLQ showed an overall good correlation with the clinical and functional indexes that are normally evaluated in follow-up visits of asthmatic patients. The PAQLQ appeared to be strongly related to asthma control, both at the first (p < 0.01) and second (p < 0.001) time of the study. The PAQLQ was also seen to decrease with increasing asthma severity. The results suggest a better compliance of the children towards completion of the questionnaire at t1. Finally, the PAQLQ does not appear to discriminate HRQL in patients with good lung function.ConclusionThe Italian version of the PAQLQ is a quick-to-administer aid to clinical activity and can add valuable information to symptom reports, objective measurements and clinical assessment of asthma control and severity in daily clinical practice. Re-administration at each follow-up visit allows HRQL to be monitored over time.

Factors influencing quality of life of people living with HIV in Estonia: a cross‐sectional survey

BackgroundIdentification of factors that determine quality of life is important in order to better tailor health and social care services, and thereby improve the functioning and well being of people living with HIV. The estimated number of people living with HIV in eastern Europe and central Asia is 1.6 million. Little is known about the quality of life of people living with HIV in this region. The main purpose of the present study was to identify the factors influencing quality of life in a sample of HIV-infected persons in Estonia.MethodsA convenient sample of 451 patients attending three infectious diseases clinics for routine HIV clinical care visits was recruited for a cross-sectional survey. The World Health Organization's Quality of Life HIV instrument was used to measure quality of life of the participants and medical data was abstracted from clinical records.ResultsGood overall quality of life was reported by 42.6% (95% CI: 38.0–47.2%) of the study participants (53% men, 60% self-identify as injecting drug users, 82% <30 years of age, 30% with CD4+ T cell count <300 cells/mm3, and 22% on antiretroviral treatment). We identified the following variables as independent predictors of good overall quality of life: being currently employed or studying (AOR: 2.27, 95% CI: 1.18–4.38); and the absence of HIV-related symptoms (AOR: 2.31, 95% CI: 1.24–4.29).ConclusionA comprehensive and competent care system, including health care providers and social workers, is required for an effective response. In addition, social interventions should seek to enhance the economic and employment opportunities for people living with HIV in the region.

Limb-sparing surgery preserves more function than amputation

We evaluated the long-term functional outcome in 118 patients treated for osteosarcoma or Ewing's sarcoma in the extremities a minimum of five years after treatment. We also examined if impaired function influenced their quality of life and ability to work. The function was evaluated according to the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score and the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS). Quality of life was assessed by using the Short Form-36 (SF-36). The mean age at follow-up was 31 years (15 to 57) and the mean follow-up was for 13 years (6 to 22). A total of 67 patients (57%) initially had limb-sparing surgery, but four had a secondary amputation. The median MSTS score was 70% (17% to 100%) and the median TESS was 89% (43% to 100%). The amputees had a significantly lower MSTS score than those with limb-sparing surgery (p < 0.001), but there was no difference for the TESS. Tumour localisation above knee level resulted in significantly lower MSTS scores and TESS (p = 0.003 and p = 0.02, respectively). There were no significant differences in quality of life between amputees and those with limb-sparing surgery except in physical functioning. Of the patients 11% (13) did not work or study. In multivariate analysis, amputation, tumour location above the knee and having muscular pain were associated with low physical function. We conclude that most of the bone tumour survivors managed well after adjustment to their physical limitations. A total of 105 are able to work and have an overall good quality of life.

Quality of life and symptom attribution in long‐term colon cancer survivors

This study investigates how long-term colon cancer survivors evaluate their health, functional status and quality of life, and whether there are differences based on age, gender or ethnicity. Thirty long-term survivors of at least stage I colon cancer were interviewed in person between December 2004 and May 2005. The interview protocol included the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form, Quality of Life--Cancer Survivor, and study-specific questions that asked about physical and non-physical problems they attributed to colon cancer. Substantial percentages of survivors attributed their problems with lack of energy (83%), sexual functioning (67%), bowel problems (63%), poor body image (47%) and emotional problems (40%) to having had colon cancer. Of those problems attributed to colon cancer, sexual functioning and pain were given the highest severity rankings by survivors. The majority of long-term colon cancer survivors reported distress regarding future diagnostic tests, a second cancer, and spread of cancer. Women reported greater problems completing daily activities as a result of physical problems (P = 0.003) and more pain (P = 0.07) than men. African Americans appear to report marginally better overall quality of life (P = 0.07) and psychological well-being than whites (P = 0.07). The majority of long-term colon cancer survivors with resected colon cancer and disease-free for 5 years reported problems with low energy, sexual functioning and bowel problems.

Factors associated with restricted mouth opening and its relationship to health-related quality of life in patients attending a Maxillofacial Oncology clinic

Trismus can be a problematic consequence of treatment for oral and oropharyngeal cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between trismus, subjective function and health-related quality of life, in order to postulate a clinically relevant cut-off that might be useful as an indicator of patients who might benefit from intervention. One hundred consecutive patients attending the Maxillofacial Oncology clinic at the University Hospital Aintree were assessed during a period of four months. Mouth opening was recorded in millimetres. Subjective outcomes were evaluated using UW-QOL questionnaire for chewing, saliva, mood, anxiety and overall quality of life. The median age of patients was 63 (IQR 56-69) years. The median time since treatment was 16 (IQR 6-34) months. The median mouth opening (32 mm; range 6-53, IQR 24-40) was associated strongly with clinical T stage (Tis/T1-2 35 mm, T3-4 24 mm), radiotherapy (no 38 mm, yes 27 mm) and type of primary surgery (primary closure 38 mm, soft-tissue flaps 30 mm, composite flaps 24 mm). The amount of mouth opening and of the single question (about how much less mouth opening since treatment) was significantly associated with patients perception of chewing deficit, less than full diet and less than good overall quality of life. This study supports a 35 mm cut-off for trismus. There is merit including the two elements together (opening in mm and the single item question on mouth opening since treatment) as outcome parameters.

Health-related quality of life after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer in elderly patients with an ileal conduit, ureterocutaneostomy, or orthotopic urinary reservoir: a comparative questionnaire survey.

To compare the health-related quality of life of elderly patients after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer in urinary diversion groups: ileal conduit, ureterocutaneostomy, or orthotopic urinary reservoir. The 109 participating elderly patients aged 75 or older completed self-reporting questionnaires: the QLQ-C30, and on satisfaction with urinary diversion methods. Fifty-six patients had undergone constructions for ileal conduit diversion, 31 for ureterocutaneostomy, and 22 for orthotopic urinary reservoir (OUR). The median follow-up period for each group was 4.0 years (range 0.3-11.2), 4.5 years (range 0.3-18.0), and 3.3 years (range 0.3-6.7), respectively. Regardless of the type of urinary diversion, the majority of patients reported having good overall quality of life, although with some problem of pain. No significant differences among urinary diversion subgroups were found in any quality of life area in the QLQ-C30 questionnaire. More patients in the OUR sub-group felt disappointment than those in the ileal conduit or cutaneostomy sub-groups. However, a questionnaire which asked which diversion method would be preferable showed a trend that more patients in the OUR subgroup would have chosen the same one. Health-related quality of life appeared relatively good in these 3 groups. Patient demands and expectations may be so different from the results that the details of each urinary diversion method should be explained thoroughly. OUR construction could be a candidate even for elderly patients.