Factors associated with quality of life in outpatients with head and neck cancer 6 months after diagnosis.
BACKGROUND
Identifying patients with head and neck cancer at greatest risk of poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL) will facilitate screening for such patients and targeted interventions.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional, self-administered survey with medical record review among 65 out-patients with head and neck cancer >6 months from diagnosis and off treatment.


RESULTS
Most were men (80%) and white (95%), with a mean age of 60 +/- 13 years. The most prevalent cancer type was squamous cell (88%), site was pharyngeal (40%), and stage was III or IV (80%). Lower total HRQOL was independently associated with gastrostomy (p < .001) and history of radiation therapy (p < .05)(R(2) = 0.27). Certain HRQOL subscales were also independently associated with depression, body mass index, age, and education.


CONCLUSIONS
Several factors can be used to identify patients with head and neck cancer at risk for persistent reductions in HRQOL requiring intervention.
Department of Medicine, SIU School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois, USA. lrogers@siumed.edu
Laura Q
LQ
Rogers
Krishna
K
Rao
James
J
Malone
Praveen
P
Kandula
Ohad
O
Ronen
Stephen J
SJ
Markwell
Kerry S
KS
Courneya
K Thomas
KT
Robbins
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires