title: Age-related differences in the quality of life of Chinese women undergoing adjuvant therapy for breast cancer.
abstract: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used in this study to compare the quality of life of younger (<60) and older (≥60) Chinese women undergoing adjuvant therapy for breast cancer. A total of 261 patients completed a self-report survey on their demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy for Breast Cancer and the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey-Chinese version. Stepwise regression was used for secondary analysis. Significant differences between the two groups were established in the total score (p = 0.049), and the physical well-being (p = 0.048), emotional well-being (p = 0.014), and breast cancer (p < 0.001) subscales after adjustment for potential confounding variables. The older group had better overall quality of life, physical and emotional well-being, and higher breast cancer subscale scores than the younger group. However, health care professionals need to be aware of the confounding factors identified and of certain cultural values, which may also influence the quality of life of these older patients.
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. winnieso@cuhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: Winnie Kwok-Wei
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: So
authors.forename: Kai-Chow
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Carman Wing-Han
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Sek-Ying
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Chair
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002681:China; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support