Cancer Res Treat.  2010 Sep;42(3):130-134.

Quality of Life of Long-Term Survivors after a Distal Subtotal Gastrectomy

• Lee SS
• Chung HY
• Yu W

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of a distal subtotal gastrectomy on the quality of life (QoL).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The QoL data of 126 patients were obtained on their 5th annual follow-up visit after a curative distal subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer (Group A). The QoL data of 130 age- and gender-adjusted healthy population were obtained from the individuals who visited the health screening center for a medical check-up (Group B). There were 42 women and 84 men in the study group and their mean age was 56.0+/-11.1 years. QoL was assessed using the Korean versions of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QoL Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30) and QLQ-STO22.
RESULTS
The EORTC QLQ-C30 global health status and QoL scores of Group A and Group B were 63.9+/-22.7 and 61.3+/-22.1, respectively (p=0.361). Group A revealed a better score for emotional functioning (84.1+/-16.1 and 75.2+/-21.4, respectively; p<0.001), cognitive functioning (82.0+/-16.4 and 75.0+/-21.4, respectively; p=0.004) and fatigue (27.7+/-20.8 and 33.8+/-23.2, respectively; p=0.028). However, Group A revealed a worse score for nausea and vomiting (14.8+/-20.0 and 10.2+/-16.0, respectively; p=0.042), financial difficulties (14.8+/-22.9 and 7.1+/-16.1, respectively; p=0.002), reflux (16.7+/-17.7 and 10.1+/-17.0, respectively; p=0.003), eating restrictions (13.6+/-15.2 and 6.6+/-10.2, respectively; p<0.001) and body image (23.3+/-25.4 and 16.2+/-24.6, respectively; p=0.023).
CONCLUSION
The QoL of long-term survivors after a distal subtotal gastrectomy is still influenced by the surgery itself even though they are considered to be free of disease.

Keyword

Stomach neoplasms; Gastrectomy; Quality of life

MeSH Terms

Body Image
Eating
Fatigue
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Gastrectomy
Humans
Male
Mass Screening
Nausea
Quality of Life
Stomach Neoplasms
Survivors
Vomiting
Surveys and Questionnaires

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