A longitudinal study of gender differences in quality of life among Japanese patients with lower rectal cancer treated with sphincter-saving surgery: a 1-year follow-up

Abstract

BackgroundUp to 80% of patients with rectal cancer undergo sphincter-saving surgery, and almost 90% of them experience subsequent physical changes. The number of studies on gender differences in response to this surgery has increased, and the connection between gender and symptoms and patient outcomes has generated increasing interest. Nevertheless, little is known about the gender differences in quality of life and cancer-related symptoms. We examined gender differences and quality of life changes over a 1-year period among patients with lower rectal cancer who were treated with sphincter-saving surgery.MethodsPatients (men = 42; women = 33) completed a self-administered questionnaire on their quality of life and related factors before surgery and 1, 6, and 12 months afterwards. The questionnaire was developed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ-C30/CR-38).ResultsScores on physical, role, and social functioning and global health status/quality of life decreased 1 month after surgery, improved after 6 months, and returned to baseline within 12 months, with the exception of social functioning in men. Factors related to quality of life changed after surgery and differed between men and women. Women’s global health status/quality of life was affected by fatigue, weight loss, defecation problems, and future perspective, while that of men was affected by fatigue, weight loss, future perspective, and role functioning, which was affected by pain, defecation problems, and financial difficulties.ConclusionsGender differences should be considered when predicting the quality of life of cancer patients undergoing surgery. Identifying gender differences will help health care providers anticipate the unique needs of patients undergoing surgery for rectal cancer.

Gender differences in the perception of quality of life of patients with colorectal cancer

“…On the other hand, among men, fatigue, weight loss, future prospects and role performance was affected by defecation problems and financial difficulties. (21) It is observed that cancer and the effects produced by its treatment lead to important changes in the life of patients, including difficulties of defecation/incontinence and weight loss -which impacts on the perception of the body image -elements that are corroborated by other studies. In addition, pain and fatigue deriving from treatment may explain the poor quality of life presented by men in relation to sexual activity and arousal.…”

Health-related quality of life in patients with lower rectal cancer after sphincter-saving surgery: a prospective 6-month follow-up study

“…Furthermore, it is hypothesised in many QOL studies among patients receiving SSS that bowel function or faecal incontinence score influences HRQOL. Kinoshita et al (2015) showed that global health status score of EORTC QLQ-C30 was affected by defecation problems at 1 month after SSS.…”

“…Kinoshita et al . () showed that global health status score of EORTC QLQ‐C30 was affected by defecation problems at 1 month after SSS.…”

Predictors of Quality of Life in Young Adults Diagnosed With Cancer

“…While much is known on the quality of life of cancer survivors in general, not much is known about the effects of an individual's gender on overall quality of life. Additionally, there are conflicting results as to whether there are gender differences in quality of life (Arden-Close et al, 2011;Giesinger et al, 2009;Geue, et al, 2014;Grant et al, 2011;Kinoshita et al, 2015;Smith et al, 2013;Westby et al, 2016). In the present study, gender as a biological variable was used to measure characteristics of the individual.…”