J Korean Acad Nurs.  2015 Aug;45(4):604-612. 10.4040/jkan.2015.45.4.604.

Factors Influencing Quality of Life during Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer Patients in South Korea

• Baek Y
• Yi M

• KMID: 2164401
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2015.45.4.604

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of physical symptoms, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QOL) during chemotherapy for colorectal cancer patients in South Korea and to identify factors influencing their QOL.
METHODS
Data were collected from 144 colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy during 2012 at one general hospital located in Seoul. Physical symptoms were measured by the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory-Gastrointestinal Cancer Module, and anxiety and depression were measured by the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale. QOL was measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffe post hoc test, Pearson correlation and stepwise multiple regression.
RESULTS
Mean age of the participants was 56.6 and most of them were not employed. In terms of cancer stage, 38.2% were in stage 3, followed by stage 4 (34.7%). The most frequent symptom was lack of appetite, followed by sleep disturbance and fatigue. The mean score for anxiety was 5.40 with a prevalence of 23% and that of depression 8.85 with a prevalence of 64.6%. The mean score for quality of life was 81.93 out of 136 and 75.3% of the variance in QOL was explained by depression, symptoms, anxiety, treatment place, and occupational status. Depression was the strongest predictive factor.
CONCLUSION
Oncology professionals need to pay special attention to relieving depression as well as physical symptoms to improve QOL during chemotherapy for colorectal cancer patients.

Keyword

Colorectal cancer; Quality of life; Symptom; Anxiety; Depression

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use
Anxiety
Colorectal Neoplasms/drug therapy/pathology/*psychology
Depression/epidemiology
Fatigue
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Neoplasm Metastasis
Neoplasm Staging
Prevalence
*Quality of Life
Republic of Korea
Surveys and Questionnaires
Antineoplastic Agents