title: Quality of life in gynecologic cancer survivors compared to healthy check-up women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary objective of this study was to compare quality of life of disease-free patients after therapy for gynecologic malignancies at follow-up in comparison with healthy check-up patients. Our second objective was to assess correlation between demographic data, disease and treatment factors and quality of life scores.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients completed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) quality of life questionnaire at least 6 months after treatment for a gynecologic malignancy. Responses were compared to unmatched healthy women who were seen for standard gynecologic screening examinations. Statistical calculation was done using chi-squared tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum, and Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis and Spearman rank correlations. Factors associated with FACT-G scores were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight hundred and seventy patients were recruited. The median time since therapy was 61 months (range, 6 to 173 months). The overall FACT-G scores were higher in the patient group than in the healthy group (p<0.05). The scores of each subscale measuring physical, functional, social/family and emotional well-being were also higher in the patient group (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed correlation between Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, educational level, care giver, presence of economic problems and FACT-G scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The quality of life scores were higher in gynecologic cancer patients after treatment. And the factors that associated with the higher score in the patient group are having husband as a caregiver, no financial problem, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score 0 or 1 and having high school or higher education.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University Faculty of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Sarikapan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wilailak
authors.forename: Arb-Aroon
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Lertkhachonsuk
authors.forename: Nawaporn
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lohacharoenvanich
authors.forename: Suteera Chukkul
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Luengsukcharoen
authors.forename: Manmana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jirajaras
authors.forename: Puchong
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Likitanasombat
authors.forename: Suwannee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sirilerttrakul