Factors associated with long-term functional outcomes and participation in patients with colorectal cancers

To assess the longer-term functional, psychosocial, and participation outcomes in colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors.

Adult CRC survivors (n = 100) living in the community completed validated questionnaires. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, while multivariate linear regression (p < 0.05) identified predictors of functional and psychosocial outcomes, and a binary logistic regression model was applied to identify factors associated with poorer QoL.

Participants (mean age: 62.2 ± 12.7 years, 53% male, 64% with grade III-IV CRC, mean time since diagnosis of 2.4 ± 1.6 years), reported persistent challenges, including fatigue (77%), bowel dysfunction (50%), sleep disturbances (49%), fear of recurrence (48%), and pain (42%). Despite this, functional recovery was good (Clinical Functioning Information Tool (Mean): 50.3 ± 42.4), with minimal mental health impact (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale: 11.3 ± 17.2). CRC-specific quality of life was poor (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal: 97.4 ± 14.5). Community integration was fair (Community Integration Questionnaire: 18.4 ± 6.5), with moderate satisfaction in overall health (Euro Quality of Life: 71.5 ± 18.6). Regression analysis identified age > 60 years, female gender, fatigue, pain, radiotherapy, and time since diagnosis > 3 years as significant predictors of poorer outcomes.

Persistent challenges faced by CRC survivors underscore the need for personalized, interdisciplinary rehabilitation-inclusive survivorship care addressing ongoing disabilities, psychosocial issues, and unmet needs.