title: Quality of life and adverse events after radiotherapy in gynecologic cancer survivors: a cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate quality of life (QOL) in gynecologic cancer survivors after radiotherapy (RT), investigate the frequency of adverse events and demonstrate an association between these symptoms and QOL.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective cohort study of 95 women aged 21-75 years undergoing RT for gynecologic cancer was carried out. QOL was assessed by the WHOQOL-BREF before, at 4 months, 1 year and 3 years after RT and adverse events were evaluated following RT by the (CTCAE) v 3.0 scale. QOL scores were assessed by the Wilcoxon signed rank test over time. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify predictors of QOL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most frequent adverse events were pain (64.2%) and dyspareunia (45.9%). A significant increase in QOL scores was observed in the psychological domain, general health and overall QOL. Pain was negatively associated with the physical, psychological and social relationship domains (p < 0.01); dyspareunia with the physical and social relationship (p < 0.01); decreased sexual interest with the psychological (p < 0.01). Higher family income was positively associated with the psychological domain and general health (p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggested that QOL improved after RT in women with gynecologic cancer. Adverse events, such as pain, dyspareunia and decreased sexual interest had a negative impact on QOL.
authors: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Rua Alexander Fleeming, 101, Cidade Universitária ''Zeferino Vaz'', Campinas, SP 13083-970, Brazil.
authors: Ana Francisca
authors: AF
authors: Vaz
authors: Délio Marques
authors: DM
authors: Conde
authors: Lúcia
authors: L
authors: Costa-Paiva
authors: Sirlei Siani
authors: SS
authors: Morais
authors: Sérgio Barros
authors: SB
authors: Esteves
authors: Aarão Mendes
authors: AM
authors: Pinto-Neto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004414:Dyspareunia / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000523:psychology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult