Evaluation of quality of life in patients with cancer
Jarema, A.
Psychiatria Polska 31(3): 333-343
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0033-2674 PMID: 9527678 Document Number: 478798
Subjective evaluation of health related quality of life was studied in 53 cancer patients. The Polish version of quality of life questionnaire SF-36 was distributed among the patients before radiotherapy and repeated after one year. Significantly higher quality of life was found in the control measurement after one year in comparison to the evaluation before radiotherapy started. The quality of life estimated by the patients was not correlated with physician's evaluation of patients made with the use of the Zubrod scale. Patients in more advanced disability due to the cancer (Zubrod scale) evaluated their social activity better than did subjects less severely disabled and bed-bound. Patients' sex as well as the localization of the cancer did not influence their opinion regarding their quality of life. The severity of pain and discomfort the patients experienced before radiotherapy correlated with the evaluation of quality of life. The severity of pain and discomfort the patients experienced before radiotherapy correlated with the evaluation of quality of life. After one year the intensity of pain and discomfort correlated only with the patients' general health evaluation and with physical fitness but not with their social and daily activity.