Ovarian carcinoma patients--life quality analysis in the postoperative period--how to improve it?

The objective of this research was to analyze the quality of life of patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma in the period following radical surgery and application of chemotherapy.

A random selection method was used to choose 30 patients who had previously filled out the QLQ-C30 health questionnaire. Data obtained from questionnaires were statistically analyzed.

The percentage of the general health scores were the highest in the bottom third of the scale, where 21.9% of the patients self-scored at 0. Financial difficulties were scored the lowest at 65.6%. The impairment of physical functioning was reported by 21.9% of patients, where the score for impact of this physical impairment was reported at 0 by 18.8%, and the impact of cognitive impairment was scored at 0 by 56.3%. Nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite were completely affecting normal daily functioning of 40.6% patients, constipation was present in 59.4% cases and diarrhea in as many as 71.9% patients; 15.6% patients reported being in continuous pain.

Health questionnaires should be used because they can help identify patients prone to develop psychological problems and symptoms. Early recognition of patients prone to psychosomatic problems would allow doctors to help maintain and/or improve on patients' quality of life.