title: Psychological distress, quality of life, symptoms and unmet needs of colorectal cancer survivors near the end of treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated psychological morbidity, quality of life (QoL), colorectal cancer (CRC)-specific symptoms and supportive care needs in a CRC population at the end of treatment (EOT).
  
  
  METHODS
  CRC survivors (n = 152) completed a post-treatment baseline questionnaire as part of a multisite supportive care randomised controlled trial (SurvivorCare). CRC survivors had completed treatment with curative intent within 0 to 6 months. Measures are as follows: Brief Symptom Inventory 18 (BSI-18) (psychological morbidity), EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR29 (QoL and CRC-specific symptoms and problems) and Cancer Survivors' Unmet Needs (CaSUN) measure with a simplified response format (unmet needs). Linear regression models were used to compare participants' QoL with a general population sample. Correlation analysis examined associations between psychological morbidity, QoL and CRC-specific symptoms and problems.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average participant age was 64 years, and 51% were male. The majority (68%) had stage 3 disease. In comparison to population norms, CRC survivors had lower depression and anxiety scores (47.4 and 45.6, respectively) but higher somatisation, and lower role, cognitive and social functioning (p < 0.001). CRC survivors had higher fatigue, nausea/vomiting, appetite loss, diarrhoea and financial problems (all p < 0.001), as well as pain (p = 0.002) and constipation (p = 0.019). CRC-specific psychological scores were positively correlated with all three BSI domain scores, and pain and fatigue symptom scores on the QLQ-C30 while negatively correlated with all five functional scales of the QLQ-C30.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CRC survivors reported good mental health at EOT. Role and social functioning were impaired compared to population norms, possibly related to physical symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings may help guide consultations with patients and inform the design of more tailored supportive care interventions.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ACTRN12610000207011.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia.
authors.forename: Lahiru
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: Karla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gough
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Drosdowsky
authors.forename: Penelope
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schofield
authors.forename: Sanchia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aranda
authors.forename: Phyllis N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Butow
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Westwood
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krishnasamy
authors.forename: Jane M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Phipps-Nelson
authors.forename: Dorothy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jefford
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*