title: Quality of life and state of health for patients with cancer in the head and neck.
abstract: Quality of life is an important factor for patients with cancer in the head and neck region and this factor has not previously been investigated in such patients. A series of 52 patients with head and neck cancer and 104 control subjects answered a questionnaires including two questions concerning health, one question concerning quality of life and one group of questions covering the health index proposed by Grogono & Woodgate (1971). The control series consisted of subjects of the same age, sex and domiciliary district as each of the cancer patients (two for each patient). There was a very high correlation between the answers to each of the four questions. The results were evaluated with special reference to patients who reported poor health and a low quality of life and the material was classified into patients with good vs. poor prognosis. There was a very high correlation between poor prognosis and low health index/low quality of life. Among the factors in the Grogono-Woodgate index, ability to work, physical and mental well-being, ability to eat and enjoy food, hobbies and leisure activities, and communication were better among patients with a good vis-à-vis a poor prognosis. The interval from diagnosis had no effect on the results. Patients with a considerable postoperative handicap reported a comparatively good health status. Cancer patients with a good prognosis often reported better health than the control subjects, but this difference was only significant for the total Grogono-Woodgate index.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D006262:Health; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires