Age-specific correlates of quality of life in Chinese women with cervical cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to examine quality of life (QOL) and its age-specific factors in cervical cancer patients at different stages of life.


METHODS
One hundred and seventy-three Chinese patients with cervical cancer were surveyed by telephone. QOL was assessed with the WHO Quality of Life Scale-Chinese/Hong Kong (HK) version (WHOQOL-BREF-HK) and compared across age groups. Using multiple regression analyses, demographic and medical factors that were independently associated with QOL outcomes in each age group were identified.


RESULTS
The age groups did not differ in the level of QOL, except for the social relationship domain. Older patients reported poorer social functioning than younger patients. Different factors were associated with QOL outcomes in different age groups. For patients in young adulthood, employment and education level were positively associated with QOL. For patients in midlife adulthood, time since diagnosis and stage of cancer were positively associated with QOL. For patients in aging adulthood, QOL was negatively associated with age, physical morbidity, and a history of termination of pregnancy. However, having a partner and possessing religious belief were positively associated with QOL.


CONCLUSIONS
Patient's age had a significant impact on the experience of QOL. Older patients had poorer social relationships than younger patients. Religion seemed to have a protective effect against poor social functioning in aging patients.
Lai
Beatrice P Y
BP
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong. pylai@cuhk.edu.hk
Tang
Catherine So-Kum
CS
Chung
Tony K H
TK
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002681:China; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*