Illness perceptions and quality of life in Japanese and Dutch patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.
This study examined quality of life (QOL) and illness perceptions in Dutch and Japanese patients with non-small-cell lung cancer, thereby extending the body of knowledge on cultural differences and psychosocial aspects of this illness. 24 Dutch and 22 Japanese patients with non-small-cell lung cancer filled out questionnaires on three occasions: immediately before chemotherapy, 1 week later, and 8 weeks after the initial chemotherapy. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) assessed QOL, and the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ) illness perceptions. Scores on several QOL measures indicated (a) major impact of first chemotherapy sessions, and (b) some tendency to returning to baseline measures at 8 weeks. Differences between Japanese and Dutch samples were found on five EORTC QLQ-C30 dimensions: global health status, emotional functioning, social functioning, constipation, and financial difficulties, with the Dutch patients reporting more favorable scores. Regarding illness perceptions, Japanese patients had higher means on perceived treatment control and personal control, expressing a higher sense of belief in the success of medical treatment than Dutch patients. In both Japanese and Dutch patients, impact of chemotherapy on QOL was evident. Some differences in illness perceptions and QOL between the two samples were observed, with implications for integral medical management. Both samples reported illness perceptions that reflect the major consequences of non-small-cell lung cancer. Incorporating symptom reports, illness perceptions, and QOL into medical management may have positive consequences for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.
Kaptein
Ad A
AA
Unit of Psychology, Leiden University Medical Centre, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands. a.a.kaptein@lumc.nl
Yamaoka
Kazue
K
Snoei
Lucia
L
Kobayashi
Kunihiko
K
Uchida
Yuka
Y
van der Kloot
Willem A
WA
Tabei
Toshio
T
Kleijn
Wim Chr
WC
Koster
Mariska
M
Wijnands
Giel
G
Kaajan
Hans
H
Tran
Tommy
T
Inoue
Kenichi
K
van Klink
Rik
R
van Dooren-Coppens
Eva
E
Dik
Hans
H
Hayashi
Fumi
F
Willems
Luuk
L
Annema-Schmidt
Dunja
D
Annema
Jouke
J
van der Maat
Bas
B
van Kralingen
Klaas
K
Meirink
Corrie
C
Ogoshi
Kyoji
K
Aaronson
Neil
N
Nortier
Hans
H
Rabe
Klaus
K
D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D017567:Karnofsky Performance Status; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010465:Perception; D011788:Quality of Life; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors