title: Quality of life impairment in patients with head and neck cancer and their caregivers: a comparative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Head and neck cancer represents 3% of all the types of malignant neoplasms and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is responsible for 90% of these cases. There have been some studies evaluating the quality of life of these patients, but little is known about the physical and emotional effects on their caregivers.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the quality of life of patients with head and neck cancer and their caregivers by applying validated questionnaires.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients with advanced tumors (SCC stage III or IV) and their 30 caregivers were included. Specific questionnaires (Coop/Wonca, EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC H&N35, Coop/Wonca, and Caregiver Strain Index - CSI) were applied during routine medical consultations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 30 patients, 28 were males and 25 had stage IV tumors, with mean age of 56.6 years. 36.7% had the primary tumor in the oropharynx and 70% reported pain. The functional cognitive, physical, and emotional scales were the most affected. Pain, fatigue, and sleep disorders were the most prevalent symptoms. Of the 30 caregivers, 23 were females and 70% were the primary caregivers. 36.7% of the caregivers had high levels of stress, mainly related to the feeling of incapacity. The comparison between patients and caregivers demonstrated that the two groups had similar quality of life impairment: physical fitness (p=0.487), mental health (p=0.615), daily activities (p=0.793), social activities (p=0.301), changes in health (p=0.649), and overall health (p=0.168).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quality of life impairment is similar between patients and their caregivers. This result demonstrates that not only the patients show quality of life impairment, but their caregivers also have it and at similar proportions.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: lais.med44@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Laís
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rigoni
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Disciplina de Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Raphaella Falco
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Bruhn
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Disciplina de Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Cicco
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Disciplina de Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jossi Ledo
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Kanda
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Disciplina de Saúde Coletiva (Curso de Bioestatística), Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Leandro Luongo
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Matos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Carcinoma espinocelular; Caregivers; Cuidadores; Câncer de cabeça e pescoço; Head and neck cancer; Qualidade de vida; Quality of life; Squamous cell carcinoma