Health-related quality of life differences between African Americans and non-Hispanic whites with head and neck cancer.
BACKGROUND
Cancers of the head and neck are associated with detriments in health-related quality of life (HRQOL); however, little is known about different experiences between African Americans and non-Hispanic whites.


METHODS
HRQOL was measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Head and Neck (FACT-H&N) approximately 5 months postdiagnosis among 222 patients with cancer from North Carolina. Higher scores represent better HRQOL. Regression models included sociodemographic characteristics and clinical factors.


RESULTS
African Americans reported higher physical well-being than whites (adjusted means, 23.1 vs 20.9). African Americans with incomes <$20,000 reported higher emotional well-being (21.4) and fewer head and neck symptoms (22.0). Non-Hispanic whites making <$20,000 reported the poorest emotional well-being (17.3), whereas African Americans making >$20,000 reported the most head and neck symptoms (18.7).


CONCLUSIONS
Further investigation is needed to explore variation in HRQOL experiences among different race and socioeconomic groups that may inform resource allocation to improve cancer care.
Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7411, USA. bbreeve@email.UNC.edu
Bryce B
BB
Reeve
Jianwen
J
Cai
Hongtao
H
Zhang
Jaeun
J
Choi
Mark C
MC
Weissler
David
D
Cella
Andrew F
AF
Olshan
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*