Health-Related Quality of Life Post Gastrectomy: A Quantitative and Qualitative Cross-Sectional Analysis

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Health Services Research
• Patient-Reported Outcomes

Background:

• Gastric cancer affects approximately 8 in 1000 patients in the US.
• Surgery is a primary curative treatment, but its impact on patients' quality of life is not fully understood.
• Post-surgical changes in diet, digestion, and financial status can significantly affect lifestyle.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients after gastrectomy.
• To assess the impact of gastric cancer surgery on various aspects of patients' lives.
• To identify factors influencing patient adjustment and well-being post-surgery.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study surveyed 57 patients post-gastrectomy using EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-STO22 questionnaires.
• Open-ended questions explored the impact of cancer on family life, social activity, finances, and life reflection.
• HRQoL data were compared between total and subtotal gastrectomy groups and with normative controls.

Main Results:

• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea were more frequent post-gastrectomy (P ≤ 0.041).
• Some HRQoL measures showed marginal differences between total and subtotal gastrectomy (P ≤ 0.080).
• Qualitative themes revealed patient adjustment, positive outlook, and minimal disruption to daily life.

Conclusions:

• HRQoL assessment offers valuable insights into patient health and disease experience.
• Understanding patient perspectives is crucial for informed clinical decision-making.
• Individualized patient care can be enhanced by recognizing post-gastrectomy experiences.