Objective To evaluate the impact of total thyroidectomy on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with nodular goiter. Methods The patients who underwent total thyroidectomy from Jan. 2009 to Dec. 2011 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed with regard to the quality of life (total thyroidectomy group). The patients with similar demographic features who underwent hemithyroidectomy during the same period were matched as control (hemi-thyroidectomy group). The validated HRQOL instrument, which was the Euro quality of life-5D (EQ-5D), was applied to measure the HRQOL. Comparison of HRQOL in patients of 2 groups was performed, meanwhile, the data of total thyroidectomy group was compared with data of normal population who were obtained from The Forth National Health Survey. Results There were 26 and 28 valid questionnaires returned for the total thyroidectomy group and hemithyroi-dectomy group respectively. The demographic features of patients in 2 groups were comparable. No significant variancecould be found between the 2 groups that there were no significant differences on the mobility, self-care, usual activities,pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression, and visual analogous scales (P>0.05). Furthermore, no significant differences in HRQOL were found in EQ-5D questionnaire compared with normal population derived from The Forth National Health Survey (P>0.05), except that there were more patients complained of moderate and severe pain/discomfort in the total thyroidectomy group 〔30.8% (8/26) vs.9.2% (16 330/177 501), P<0.01〕. Conclusion Total thyroidectomy appears to have little impact on the quality of life in the patients with nodular goiter.
Objective We studied the change of psychological behavior and quality of life in children with epilepsy, to explore the treatment strategy to improve their psychological behavior and quality of life. Methods Collected forty children with epilepsy from Hebei General Hospital during March 2015 to October 2015 and 40 normal children in this study. "Epilepsy patients quality of life scale", "Daily life ability scale" and "Sense of uncertainty in hospitalized patients disease scale" test were performed to the participants. The difference of daily psychological behavior ability, sense of uncertainty in illness and quality of life between the two groups were analyzed. Results The epilepsy children’s daily life ability and the quality of life are lower than normal children (P<0.05), the disease uncertainty is higher than normal children (P<0.05). Conclusion The epilepsy children had serious psychological and behavior disorders and lower life quality. Some medical intervention should be taken to alleviate the psychological burden, improve the ability of daily life, reduce the uncertainty in illness, and comprehensively improve the quality of life of children with epilepsy.
Objective The aim of this research was to explore the relationship between type D personality and symptom duration/emergency admissions/mental health status/quality of life (QOL) in Chinese rectal cancer patients. Methods Rectal cancer patients who were treated in our hospital form Oct. 2010 to Oct. 2012 were selected prospectively, and then their type D personality was measured with the 14-item Type D Personality Scale (DS14). Mental health status was measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The QOL was assessed longitudinally by using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR38 questionnaires at the baseline and 6 months after diagnosis. Comparison between the type D personality group and non-type D personality group in social-demographic characteristics, clinicopathological features, mental health status, and QOL was performed. Results Of the 596 patients (92%) who responded, 131 patients (22%) had type D personality. ① Compared with non-type D personality group, the proportions of patients with duration of symptoms ≥1 month, without medical insurance, and emergency admissions in type D personality group were all higher, as well as the poor economic situation and more complication ( P<0.050). ② EORTC QLQ-C30. At the baseline, scores of role function, emotional function, cognitive function, social function, and overall health status in type D personality group were all lower than those of non-type D personality group ( P<0.050), but scores of fatigue, constipation, and financial difficulties in type D personality group were all higher than those of non-type D personality group ( P<0.050). In 6 months after diagnosis, scores of role function, emotional function, cognitive function, social function, and overall health status in type D personality group were all lower than those of non-type D personality group ( P<0.050), but scores of fatigue, insomnia, constipation, and financial difficulties in type D personality group were all higher than those of non-type D personality group ( P<0.050). ③ EORTC QLQ-CR38. At the baseline, score of expectation for the future in type D personality group was lower than that of non-type D personality group ( P<0.001), but score of urinary problems in type D personality group was higher in type D personality group than that of non-type D personality group ( P<0.001). In 6 months after diagnosis, scores of expectation for the future and sexual function in type D personality group were both lower than those of non-type D personality group ( P<0.050), but scores of urinary problems, gastrointestinal symptoms, male sexual dysfunction, and excretion difficulties in type D personality group were all higher than those of non-type D personality group ( P<0.050). ④ At the baseline and 6 months after diagnosis, the incidences of anxiety and depression in type D personality group were all higher than those of non-type D personality group at the same time point ( P<0.001). In type D personality group, the incidences of anxiety and depression in 6 months after diagnosis were both higher than baseline ( P<0.001). Conclusion Type D personality may be a general vulnerability factor to screen for subgroups at risk for longer SD and emergency admissions in clinical practice of rectal cancer patients, and it was associated with poor QOL and poor mental health status.
ObjectiveTo investigate the preoperative symptom burden and quality of life of patients undergoing lung cancer surgery.MethodsThis study was a cross-sectional study. We used the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-lung cancer module (MDASI-LC) and the single-item quality of life scale (UNISCALE) to collect the preoperative patient-reported outcomes of 265 patients with lung cancer from November 2017 to July 2019 in Sichuan Cancer Hospital.ResultsOf 265 patients, 90.9% had preoperative symptoms. The five most common symptoms were coughing (66.8%), dry mouth (53.6%), memory problems (52.8%), disturbed sleep (52.1%) and fatigue (44.2%). The five most common moderate to severe symptoms were disturbed sleep (23.0%), distress (18.5%), memory problems (16.6%), coughing (16.2%) and dry mouth (16.2%). Patients with early-stage lung cancer had less pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, lack of appetite, numbness and coughing, and their symptoms had less impact on work (including housework), relations with other people, walking and enjoyment of life as well as better quality of life before surgery (P<0.05). Patients with adenocarcinoma had milder coughing and a better quality of life before surgery (P<0.05). Symptom score was positively correlated with symptom interference with life score (r=0.66, P<0.01) and negatively correlated with quality of life score (r=-0.41, P<0.01).ConclusionMost patients undergoing lung cancer surgery have a mild symptom burden before surgery. The most common and severe symptoms are coughing, dry mouth, lung cancer and disturbed sleep. Patients with early-stage lung cancer have a milder symptom burden and a better quality of life.
ObjectiveTo understand the possible influential factors and the effectiveness of interventions for quality of life in breast cancer survivors. MethodThe latest literatures about studies on quality of life in breast cancer survivors were reviewed. ResultsAlthough the cure rate and survival rate of patients with breast cancer had improved, breast cancer as a major stress event, the disease itself and treatment related adverse reactions might cause the fatigue, activity decline, anxiety, depression, and other negative emotions of patients, which seriously affected the quality of life of patients and survival prognosis. The patients’ age, socio-economic background, tumor characteristics, and treatment methods were the factors affecting their quality of life. To a certain extent, meditation, music therapy, and proper physical exercise could improve the quality of life of patients with breast cancer. ConclusionBreast cancer itself and related treatment methods may affect not only the affected organs, but also multiple dimensions of patients’ quality of life, so attention should be paid to improve quality of life in breast cancer survivors, providing with individualized interventions.
ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of combined telephone and WeChat follow-up for patients discharged with an indwelling closed thoracic drainage tube after surgery for stage Ⅲ tuberculous empyema. MethodsPatients with stage Ⅲ tuberculous empyema who were discharged with an indwelling drainage tube from the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu, between November 2021 and November 2022 were enrolled in this study. They were divided into an observation group (combined telephone and WeChat follow-up) and a control group (telephone-only follow-up). The quality of life (QoL), treatment adherence, and recovery outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 81 patients were included. The observation group consisted of 49 patients (31 males, 18 females) with a mean age of (38.63±15.86) years. The control group consisted of 32 patients (27 males, 5 females) with a mean age of (36.91±17.33) years. The observation group showed significantly better postoperative QoL outcomes in the domains of physical functioning, emotional functioning, physical symptoms, global health status, and overall QoL compared to the control group (all P<0.05). Regarding treatment adherence, the observation group demonstrated superior performance in daily activity duration, use of a respiratory trainer, and adherence to coughing exercises compared to the control group (all P<0.001). The duration of chest tube indwelling was significantly shorter in the observation group (P<0.001). Furthermore, the observation group showed better recovery in albumin and hemoglobin levels (both P<0.05). ConclusionA combined telephone and WeChat follow-up approach can significantly improve the QoL and treatment adherence for patients discharged with an indwelling drainage tube. This method effectively shortens the duration of postoperative tube drainage, promotes nutritional recovery, and accelerates overall postoperative rehabilitation.
Objective To compare the quality of life (QOL) of advanced Siewert type Ⅱ adenocarcinoma esophagogastric junction (AEG) patients treated by the total gastrectomy, traditional proximal gastrectomy or proximal gastrectomy with gastric tube reconstruction opertations, and to provide some clinical basis for the choice of surgical methods for AEG. Methods A total of 90 patients with Siewert type Ⅱ AEG were retrospectively collected from the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to different surgical methods (n=30 in each group), a total gastrectomy group (23 males, 7 females, aged 47-79 years), a traditional proximal gastrectomy group (treated with the traditional proximal gastrectomy procedure, 19 males, 11 females, aged 44-80 years), and a narrow gastric tube group (treated with the proximal gastrectomy with gastric tube reconstruction procedure, 25 males, 5 females, aged 47-83 years). The Chinese version of Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (QLQ-C30) and Quality of Life Questionnaire Oesophagogastric-25 (QLQ-OG25) designed by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) were used to collect the patients’ information in the three groups about their QOL during the first six months and one year after the three procedures. Results There was no statistical difference in the clinical data among the three groups (all P>0.05). QOL during the first six months after the operations assessed by the QLQ-C30 questionnaire table showed that the narrow gastric tube group was significantly best in total QOL, physical function, fatigue, and emotional function among the three groups (all P<0.05). The total gastrectomy group was the worst in role function, dyspnea, fatigue and diarrhea among the three groups (all P<0.05). The traditional proximal gastrectomy group had a worse evaluation in lose of appetite than the other two groups (P<0.05). QOL during the first six months after the operations assessed by the QLQ-OG25 questionnaire table showed that the traditional proximal gastrectomy group had a significantly worse evaluation in palirrhea than the other two groups (both P<0.05). The total gastrectomy group had a significantly worse evaluation in anxiety than the other two groups (both P<0.05). QOL during the first year after the operations assessed by the QLQ-C30 questionnaire table showed that the narrow gastric tube group had a significantly highest evaluation in total QOL physical function and emotional function among the three groups (all P<0.05). The total gastrectomy group had a significantly worst evaluation in diarrhea among the three groups (P<0.05). QOL during the first year after operations assessed by QLQ-OG25 questionnaire table showed that the traditional proximal gastrectomy group had a significantly worse evaluation in palirrhea than the other two groups (all P<0.05). Conclusion The narrow tubular esophagogastric anastomosis is better than the total gastrectomy and the traditional proximal gastrectomy for the treatment of the advanced Siewert type Ⅱ adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction, so this operation is worth being recommended.
ObjectiveTo analyze the influencing factors of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and its correlation with social support and quality of life in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) at 5 years after surgery. MethodsA total of 116 patients with DTC from West China Hospital, Sichuan University at 5 years after surgery were selected as the research objects. The patients were investigated using the Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) and the European Organization for Reasearch and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnare-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30, hereinafter referred to as QLQ-C30). The χ2 test or Fisher exact probability method were used for univariate analysis, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used for influencing factor analysis. The diagnostic value of variables with significant influence on FCR in multivariate logistic regression was further studied by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and Pearson correlation analysis was finally adopted to analyze the relationship between FCR and social support and quality of life in patients with DTC at 5 years after operation. ResultsThe questionnaire survey showed that the FoP-Q-SF score of 116 patients with DTC at 5 years after surgery was (35.92±2.52) scores, of which 75 patients had FoP-Q-SF score ≥34 scores, 41 patients had FoP-Q-SF score <34 scores, and the FCR rate was 64.66% (75/116). Multivariate logistic regression showed that gender, family annual income, SSRS score and total QLQ-C30 score were the main factors of FCR in patients with DTC at 5 years after surgery (P<0.05). Further ROC curve diagnosis showed that the accuracy rate of diagnosis of FCR with SSRS score ≤47.5 scores was 70.70%, the total score of QLQ-C30 ≤617.225 scores was 69.02%. The accuracy rate of diagnosis of FCR was 66.03% when the annual income of family was less than 150 000 yuan. The accuracy of women’s diagnosis of FCR was 62.28%. Pearson correlation analysis showed that FoP-Q-SF score was negatively correlated with SSRS score and total score of QLQ-C30 in DTC patients at 5 years after operation (r=–0.629 6, P=0.000 1; r=–0.568 5, P=0.000 1). ConclusionsThe proportion of patients who have FCR at 5 years after DTC operation is high, and gender, family annual income, SSRS score and total score of QLQ-C30 are the influencing factors. Therefore, we can develop targeted management strategies to reduce patients’ FCR and improve their quality of life.
ObjectiveTo summarize research progress of quality of life in patients after colorectal cancer surgery.MethodsThe literatures about quality of life of patients with colorectal cancer surgery in recent years are reviewed.ResultsQuality of life had became an important criterion for evaluating the therapeutic effect and prognosis of cancer. At present, the assessment tools for the quality of life of colorectal cancer patients mainly included the universal scale [such as Short Form Health Survey (SF-36)], the applicable scales for cancer patients [such as European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer: quality of life questionaire-C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer: quality of life questionaire-CR38 (EORTC QLQ-CR38)], and the special scales for stoma patients represented by City of Hope Quality of Life-Ostomy Questionnaire (COH-QOL-OQ), Stoma Quality Of Life (Stoma-QOL), Stoma Quality Of Life Scale (SQOLS), and so on. The short-term quality of life of colorectal cancer patients was lower at 1 month after operation and recovered at 3 months after operation. Five years after surgery, attention should also be paid to the long-term quality of life. Besides, postoperative quality of life of colorectal cancer patients was affected by age, occupational status, economy, preoperative physical activity level, psychological and social factor, personality, surgical method, co-morbidity, complication, stoma, and so on.ConclusionsUnderstand the longitudinal changes and influencing factors of patients’ quality of life after operation, grasp the time point of effective intervention, and select appropriate assessment tools are necessary for medical staff. It is of great significance to further optimize the clinical management pathway and improve the quality of life of patients with colorectal cancer after operation.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of multi-disciplinary diagnosis and treatment model based on doctor-patient shared decision making on treatment outcomes, quality of life and postoperative complications of breast cancer patients. MethodsA total of 100 breast cancer patients were included in this study through a prospective randomized controlled design, and were randomly divided into control group and intervention group, with 50 patients in each group. The control group received traditional treatment mode, while the intervention group implemented a multidisciplinary treatment mode based on doctor-patient sharing decision making. The results of treatment, quality of life and postoperative complication rate were compared between the two groups. ResultsThe completion rate of adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the intervention group was 94.0%, which was higher than that in the control group (80.0%), and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.037). The satisfaction rate of postoperative breast appearance in the intervention group was 90.0%, which was higher than that in the control group (60.0%), with statistical significance (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in grade Ⅲ/Ⅳ toxicity between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the scores of patients’ quality of life in the intervention group were higher than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications in the intervention group was 6.0%, which was lower than that in the control group (22.0%), and the difference was statistically (P=0.021). ConclusionsThe application of multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment model based on doctor-patient sharing decision-making in the treatment of breast cancer patients has significantly improved the treatment effect and quality of life, and effectively reduced the rate of postoperative complications. This model provides a new approach to the treatment of breast cancer that is more personalized, comprehensive and efficient.