Impact of functional support on health-related quality of life in patients with colorectal cancer.
BACKGROUND
It has been shown that social integration and the availability of social support influence quality of life. However, little is known about the relation between social support and mental and physical health in patients with colorectal cancer. In the current study, the authors examined the effects of social network size, as well as emotional and instrumental support, on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with colorectal cancer.


METHODS
Six hundred thirty-six veterans with colorectal cancer were asked to complete a telephone interview, which included a measure of social support (the Berkman-Syme Index) and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12-Item Survey. Mean physical composite scale (PCS) and mental composite scale (MCS) scores were compared across groups.


RESULTS
No difference in mean PCS or MCS scores was found between patients who had larger social networks and patients who had smaller social networks. The availability of emotional and instrumental support was associated with higher MCS scores, whereas the availability of instrumental support was associated with lower PCS scores.


CONCLUSIONS
Irrespective of network size, the availability of emotional support and instrumental support had an impact on HRQOL in patients with colorectal cancer. More emphasis needs to be placed on understanding how various types of social support, individually and collectively, influence physical and mental health in patients with colorectal cancer.
Sultan
Shahnaz
S
Institute for Clinical and Epidemiological Research, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA. sulta003@mc.duke.edu
Fisher
Deborah A
DA
Voils
Corrine I
CI
Kinney
Anita Y
AY
Sandler
Robert S
RS
Provenzale
Dawn
D
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires