title: Disability and quality of life in community-dwelling elderly cancer survivors: Case-control study in the Korean population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Advanced age is a significant risk factor for cancer and functional disabilities increase with age. The purpose of this case-control study of Korean individuals was to determine the effect of cancer and cancer treatment on functional disability and quality of life (QOL). Thus, we compared community-dwelling elderly cancer patients (ECPs) with individuals from the general elderly population (GEP) who never had diagnoses of cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  We selected 1776 ECP who were at least 65 years-old from the 2008 Korean Community Health Survey data and used propensity score matching to randomly select 1766 individuals from the GEP who closely resembled the ECPs. Functional disability was measured using the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale, and QOL was measured by the EuroQol Group EQ-5D.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ECPs were more dependent in preparation of food, doing laundry, and shopping (IADL scale), and in mobility and usual activities (EQ-5D). Although ECP had more problems with pain, discomfort, anxiety, and depression, they were more independent in self-care and handling of financial responsibilities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ECPs had multiple physical and psychological symptoms that adversely affected functional disability and QOL, but higher functional ability, such as self-care and handling of financial responsibilities. Promotion of self-care by ECPs is pivotal for effective management in community practice.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Research Institute of Nursing Science, Kyungpook National University, 680 Gukchabosangro, Jung-gu, Daegu, 700-842, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: mlee@knu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Myung Kyung
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Cancer; Case-control study; Community-dwelling; Disability; Elderly; Quality of life