Asian Oncol Nurs.  2018 Mar;18(1):40-46. 10.5388/aon.2018.18.1.40.

Distress and Quality of Life in Patients with Esophageal Cancer

• Ju YH
• Kim YH
• Kim JH

• KMID: 2409143
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5388/aon.2018.18.1.40

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the level of distress and quality of life (QoL) in esophageal cancer patients, and to identify the factors influencing QoL
METHODS
A sample of 103 patients who have esophageal cancer were included in a descriptive study. The instruments used were the Distress Thermometer and Problem List, and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) version 4.
RESULTS
The mean distress score of the subjects was 4.06±2.04 out of 10. The total mean score of quality of life was 66.39±12.86 out of 108, the highest category was physical well-being with a mean item score of 21.78±5.51, the lowest was emotional well-being with a mean item score of 14.69±3.68. The levels of distress and QoL were negatively correlated (r=−.61, p<.001). Stepwise regression analysis revealed that the QoL of the patients was explained by type of treatment and distress. These variables explained 35% of the variance in QoL.
CONCLUSION
The QoL of patients with esophageal cancer was relatively low, and the type of treatment and distress was the most important factor affecting quality of life. Thus, to improve the QoL of patients with esophageal cancer, it is important to assess their distress and to provide appropriate interventions.

Keyword

Esophageal Cancer; Distress; Quality of Life

MeSH Terms

Esophageal Neoplasms*
Humans
Quality of Life*
Thermometers

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