title: The effect of gender on health-related quality of life and related factors in post-lobectomy lung-cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  While studies have documented gender differences by histologic type among lung cancer patients, the effect of these differences on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of post-lobectomy lungcancer patients and related factors remain uncertain. This study examines gender-specific HRQoL and related factors in post-lobectomy lung-cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study design was applied. A convenience sample of 231 post-lobectomy lungcancer patients was recruited from the thoracic surgery outpatient departments of two teaching hospitals in Taipei, Taiwan from March to December 2012. Patients performed a spirometry test and completed instruments that included a Beck Depression Inventory-II, an Interpersonal Support Evaluation List, and the symptom and function scales of the Quality of Life Questionnaire. Data analysis used descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviations, frequency, and percentage values. Independent-sample Student's t-tests and multivariate analyses were used for comparative purposes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study confirmed a significant gender effect on HRQoL and HRQoL-related factors such as marital status, religious affiliation, smoking status, histologic type, symptoms, pulmonary function, depression, and family support. Moreover, multivariate analysis found gender to be a significant determinant of the HRQoL aspects of physical functioning, emotional functioning, and cognitive functioning. Finally, results indicated that factors other than gender were also significant determinants of HRQoL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gender impacts the HRQoL and related factors of postoperative lung-cancer patients. Therefore, gender should be considered in assessing and addressing the individual care needs of these patients in order to attain optimal treatment outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Nursing, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: purple-vivian@yahoo.com.tw.
authors.forename: Nai-Wen
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Nurse-Midwifery, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: kuanchia@ntunhs.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Kuan-Chia
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: whhsu@vghtpe.gov.tw.
authors.forename: Wen-Hu
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: leesc001@yahoo.com.tw.
authors.forename: Shih-Chun
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: jchan007@mail.ndmctsgh.edu.tw.
authors.forename: James Yi-Hsin
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Taipei Veterans Hospital, School of Nursing, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: w6688@mail.ndmctsgh.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Kwua-Yun
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D013624:Taiwan
keywords: Depression; Family support; Gender-related differences; Post-lobectomy lung cancer; Pulmonary function; Quality of life