title: Experiences of colorectal cancer patients in the 2-years post-diagnosis and patient factors predicting poor outcome.
abstract: There are few recent longitudinal studies investigating the quality of life of colorectal cancer patients in the early years following diagnosis. This study aimed to (i) compare the health status of people with colorectal cancer less than 1 year from diagnosis with health status 1 year later and (ii) determine the characteristics associated with a change in overall health status.
  
  
  
  The study was conducted as part of a larger trial. Participants (n = 539) were identified via the Victorian Cancer Registry in Australia, completed a computer-assisted baseline telephone interview (including the EQ-5D-3L) within 6-12 months of diagnosis, and mailed a survey 12 months later.
  
  
  
  At baseline, the majority of participants (55 %) reported some problems, including difficulties in usual activities (26 %), pain or discomfort (25 %), anxiety or depression (23 %) and mobility issues (15 %). Sixty-nine percent had either an unchanged or increased health utility score from baseline to follow-up. The largest proportion reporting an increase in problems between baseline and follow-up related to pain or discomfort (18 %). While visual analogue scale scores indicated a significantly improved health state over time overall, 32 % reported a decreased health utility score from baseline to follow-up. Those aged over 80 years were more likely to report a decreased health utility score compared to 60-80-year-olds.
  
  
  
  A sizeable minority of patients experience ongoing problems in their daily lives and should be offered assistance in overcoming disabilities and returning to best possible functioning, particularly older patients who appear to be vulnerable to poor outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour (PRCHB), School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Newcastle, W4, HMRI Building, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia. chris.paul@newcastle.edu.au.|Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton, NSW, Australia. chris.paul@newcastle.edu.au.
authors.forename: Christine L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour (PRCHB), School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Newcastle, W4, HMRI Building, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.|Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Emilie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour (PRCHB), School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Newcastle, W4, HMRI Building, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.|Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Doran
authors.affiliation: University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.|Centre for Behavioural Research, Cancer Council Victoria, Carlton, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.affiliation: University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.|Department of Colorectal Medicine and Genetics, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Finlay
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Macrae
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour (PRCHB), School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Newcastle, W4, HMRI Building, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.|Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Mariko L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Carey
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour (PRCHB), School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Newcastle, W4, HMRI Building, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.|Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Rob W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Sanson-Fisher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Colorectal cancer; Disability; Health status; Longitudinal study; Quality of life