title: Health-related quality of life outcomes in disease-free survivors of mid-low rectal cancer after curative surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The main objective of this study was to investigate health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in terms of symptoms and functional outcomes in disease-free survivors of rectal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive patients (n = 117) who underwent curative surgery for rectal cancer with a minimum of 2 years' follow-up and whose disease had not recurred were asked to complete the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and its colorectal cancer module (QLQ-CR38). Long-term HRQOL outcomes were compared with reference data from the general population. Relevant clinical data including type of surgery, stage of disease, type of treatment, and early and late complications were collected. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to investigate associations among covariates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HRQOL functional aspects were similar with that of an age- and sex-matched general population. Although clinically meaningful better outcomes favoring our patients were found for the global health status/HRQOL and the pain scales, constipation was worse in rectal cancer survivors than the general population. Multivariate analysis found that worse physical functioning was associated with increasing age (P < .001), female sex (P < .01), presence of stoma (P < .05), and occurrence of late major complications (P < .05). Worse body image was associated with the presence of stoma (P < .001) and chemoradiotherapy (P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, patients with rectal cancer recover well in the long run, with HRQOL levels comparable to that of the general population. HRQOL outcomes provide valuable data that may be used to improve information disclosure to patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncological and Surgical Sciences, Section of Clinica Chirurgica II, University of Padova, Policlinico, VI piano, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128, Padova, Italy. puc@unipd.it
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pucciarelli
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Del Bianco
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Toppan
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Serpentini
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Efficace
authors.forename: Lara Maria
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Pasetto
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Friso
authors.forename: Gian Luca
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: De Salvo
authors.forename: Donato
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nitti
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome