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01-06-2016 | Original Article

Predictors of quality of life in head and neck cancer survivors up to 5 years after end of treatment: a cross-sectional survey

Authors: Mary Wells, Samantha Swartzman, Heidi Lang, Margaret Cunningham, Lesley Taylor, Jane Thomson, Julie Philp, Colin McCowan

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 6/2016

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to assess quality of life (QoL) in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors and determine factors predictive of poor QoL in the first 5 years after the end of treatment.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey, including the Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors (QLACS) measure, was sent to HNC survivors in three Scottish health regions, with responses linked to routinely collected clinical data. Independent sample t tests, ANOVAs, Pearson correlations and multiple hierarchical regressions were used to explore associations between and to determine the contribution made by demographic, lifestyle and clinical factors to predicting ‘generic’ and ‘cancer-specific’ quality of life.

Results

Two hundred eighty patients (65 %) returned questionnaires. After adjustment, multivariate analysis showed that younger age, lower socio-economic status, unemployment and self-reported comorbidity independently contributed to poorer generic and cancer-specific quality of life. In addition to these factors, having had a feeding tube or a diagnosis of oral cavity cancer were independently predictive of poorer cancer-specific quality of life.

Conclusions

Socio-economic factors and comorbidity are important predictors of QoL in HNC survivors. These factors and the detrimental long-term effects of feeding tubes need further attention in research and practice.

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Title: Predictors of quality of life in head and neck cancer survivors up to 5 years after end of treatment: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Mary Wells
Samantha Swartzman
Heidi Lang
Margaret Cunningham
Lesley Taylor
Jane Thomson
Julie Philp
Colin McCowan
Publication date: 01-06-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 6/2016
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-3045-6

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Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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