title: Quality of life following laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated quality of life (QoL) of patients 6 months after surgery for early or advanced gastric cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between June, 2006 and December, 2009, 39 patients undergoing laparoscopic assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) and 35 patients undergoing open distal gastrectomy (ODG) were enrolled. All the patients completed a validated questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and site specific module (QLQ-STO22) after surgery. Clinicopathological characteristics were compared and the patients' QoL were emphasized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between the two groups in age, comorbidities, curative degree, tumor stage, etc. In terms of QLQ-C30 items, significantly better role, cognitive, emotional and social functioning in the LADG group were identified as well as a significant lower incidence rate of constipation. Physical functioning, dyspnea, pain, fatigue, insomnia, diarrhea, financial difficulties and global health status, were not significantly different between the two groups. With respect to QLQ-STO22 items, LADG associated with lower incidence of reflux symptoms and better body image. However, there were no significant differences on symptoms of dysphagia, pain, eating restrictions, dry mouth, change of taste, anxiety and hair loss. QoL stratified by Billroth II reconstruction procedure gave similar results except for role functioning and body image, LADG had higher score compared with ODG.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term follow-up results suggest that LADG might help improve the QoL in patients with gastric cancer. Well-designed large scale randomized controlled trials are needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Kun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xin-Zu
authors.initials: XZ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhi-Xin
authors.initials: ZX
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jia-Ping
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zong-Guang
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Jian-Kun
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome