Processus pour le développement d’une stratégie d’évaluation de la qualitéde vie en cancer avancépédiatrique Process for Developing a Quality of Life Assessment Strategy in Advanced Pediatric Cancer

In pediatric advanced cancer,i.e.,when cancer-targeted treatments are not effective,care provided to patients is of palliative nature.It aims at limiting symptoms and optimizing quality of life(QoL).To orient care,it is necessary to know and measure what is really important for young people.Unfortunately,tools are still scarce in this context.The aim of this paper is to describe the development process of a new QoL assessment method,the Advance QoL program.This is specifically designed for the clinical context of pediatric advanced cancer.Three previous studies carried out by our team identified seven important QoL domains for this population.We developed a tool named Advance QoL—parent/caregiver version.A current study aims to develop self-reported versions of the Advance QoL for children(8-12 years)and adolescents(13-18 years)with advanced cancer.In the very near future,the Advance QoL tool will be available in three versions(parents/caregivers,children,and adolescents)ready to be tested in validation studies.Regular assessment of the QoL of young people with cancer is a central process in defining targets for care and should be carried out throughout the trajectory,including when cancer is at an advanced stage,i.e.,when no standard treatment options are available.

Effect of resilience on quality of life and anxiety in patients with breast cancer

BACKGROUND The incidence of breast cancer is high,with serious implications in terms of lives and health.Relevant data show that there are approximately 1 million new cases of breast cancer reported annually,with a rising trend.Some patients have poor treatment effects and are prone to anxiety and other negative emotions,which affect their quality of life(QoL).AIM To explore the correlation between mental resilience,QoL,and anxiety in patients with breast cancer.METHODS Using convenience sampling,200 patients with breast cancer were selected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University.These patients were investigated using the Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale,Self-Rating Anxiety Scale,and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire to analyze the impact of resilience in patients with breast cancer on their QoL and anxiety.RESULTS The mean(SD)mental resilience score of the patients with breast cancer was 59.68(±9.84)points,the anxiety score was 49.87(±8.26)points,and the QoL score was 59.73(±8.29)points.Overall,they showed low mental resilience,mild anxiety,and medium QoL.Anxiety was negatively correlated with mental resilience and QoL(r=-0.275,r=-0.289,P<0.05).QoL was positively correlated with mental resilience(r=0.513,P<0.05).Anxiety was a mediating variable between mental resilience and QoL,accounting for 8.58%of the mediating effect.CONCLUSION Regarding psychological elasticity,anxiety plays an intermediary role in QoL among patients with breast cancer.Medical staff can improve patients'mental resilience by reducing their anxiety and improving their QoL.

Quality of life and survival analyses of breast cancer cases treated with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine

BACKGROUND Breast cancer(BC)is the second leading cause of tumor-related mortality after lung cancer.Chemotherapy resistance remains a major challenge to progress in BC treatment,warranting further exploration of feasible and effective alternative therapies.AIM To analyzed the quality of life(QoL)and survival of patients with BC treated with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine(TCM-WM).METHODS This study included 226 patients with BC admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between February 2018 and February 2023,including 100 who received conventional Western medicine treatment(control group)and 126 who received TCM-WM treatment(research group).The total effective rate,side effects(alopecia,nausea and vomiting,hepatorenal toxicity,and myelosuppression),QoL assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire(EORTC QLQ-C30),1-year overall survival(OS),recurrence and metastasis rates,and serum inflammatory factors[interleukin(IL)-6,IL-10,and tumor necrosis factor alpha]were comparatively analyzed.RESULTS The research group showed statistically better overall efficacy,EORTC QoL-C30 scores,and 1-year OS than the control group,with markedly lower side effects and 1-year recurrence and metastasis rates.Moreover,the posttreatment levels of serum inflammatory in the research group were significantly lower than the baseline and those in the control group.CONCLUSION Overall,TCM-WM demonstrated significantly improved therapeutic efficacy while ensuring drug safety in BC,which not only improved patients’QoL and prolonged survival,but also significantly inhibited the inflammatory response.

Life Review the Impact of Combined Watson Care Theory Intervention on Psychological Status and Quality of Life in Patients with Terminal Lung Cancer

Objective: To analyze the impact of combined Watson care theory intervention on the psychological state and quality of life in patients with terminal lung cancer. Methods: 72 patients with terminal lung cancer admitted from March 2021 to January 2024 were selected, which were divided into research group (life review combined with Watson care theory intervention) and control group (conventional intervention), with 36 cases each. Compare the nursing effect between the two groups. Results: The anxiety self-rating scale (SAS) and depression self-rating scale (SDS) scores were significantly lower than those of the control group, and the quality of life score was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Life review combined with Watson care theory intervention can improve the psychological state and improve the quality of life of patients with terminal lung cancer.

Changes in acute and late toxicity and patient-reported health-related quality of life following radiotherapy in women with breast cancer:A 1-year longitudinal study

Objective:The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency of acute and late toxicities,as well as changes in the quality of life(QOL)for breast cancer patients following radiotherapy(RT).Materials and Methods:A total of 108 breast cancer women were recruited for this prospective study.Data were collected at various intervals;prior to,and 1,3,6 months,and 1 year after radiation therapy.The primary outcomes were toxicity radiation therapy oncology group/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer(EORTC)criteria.Our secondary outcome was QOL,measured using EORTC QLQ-C30 and Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale.We employed Friedman’s two-way analysis to evaluate the changes in QOL over the course of 1 year.Results:The early toxicities that are most commonly experienced include pharyngeal,skin,and mucous membrane toxicity.Late toxicities frequently involve skin and submucosal toxicity.To measure patient functionality,all functional subscale scores except for the patient’s emotional state increased over time compared to pre-RT.Symptoms of the patients,which were included in the QOL symptom scale,decreased during the follow-up period,except for fatigue;however,changes in pain,insomnia,and loss of appetite did not significantly change.We identified the analogous symptom profiles in Edmonton.Although patients’overall health scores declined in the 1st and 3rd months after radiotherapy(RT),they rebounded at 6 and 12 months.Conclusion:For breast cancer patients,RT did not adversely affect functional capacity or exacerbate symptoms,but persistent fatigue did increase during the observation period.Health-care professionals ought to devise strategies to assist patients with skin toxicity and fatigue.

Impact of the Rapid Recovery Concept on Complications and Patient Quality of Life in the Perioperative Nursing of Robot-Assisted Radical Oesophageal Cancer

Aim: This study evaluates the impact of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) nursing on postoperative complications and quality of life in patients undergoing robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE). Methods: A total of 150 patients who underwent RAMIE from January 2020 to January 2022 at our hospital were randomly assigned to either the observation group or the control group, with 75 patients in each. The control group received standard perioperative management and nursing care, while the observation group was treated with ERAS nursing strategies. Interventions continued until discharge, and outcomes such as postoperative complications, quality of life, and nutritional status were compared between the groups. Results: The observation group exhibited a significantly lower incidence of postoperative adverse reactions compared to the control group (P ionally, all dimension scores of the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), including the total score, were higher in the observation group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS) scores for impaired nutritional status and disease severity, along with the total NRS score, were significantly lower in the observation group compared to the control group (P Conclusion: Implementing ERAS nursing in the perioperative care of patients undergoing RAMIE is associated with reduced postoperative complications and enhanced postoperative quality of life and nutritional status. .

Analysis of the Status Quo and Influencing Factors of Advanced Lung Cancer Patients’ Quality of Life

Objective:To investigate the quality of life and related influencing factors of patients with advanced lung cancer.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 51 patients with advanced lung cancer who were hospitalized in the Department of Oncology from January 2023 to December 2023,and the influencing factors of patients’quality of life were analyzed.Results:Among the five functional scales(physical,role,cognitive,emotional,and social functioning)of the QLQ-C30 scale,the social and emotional function scores were the lowest,respectively 16.7(IQR:0,33.3)points,and 16.7(IQR:8.3,25),and among the three symptom scales(fatigue,pain,nausea and vomiting),the fatigue symptom score was the highest:77.7(IQR:66.7,88.9)points.The results of Spearman correlation analysis showed that the anxiety score of patients with advanced lung cancer was positively correlated with depression score(P<0.01),while the quality of life of patients with advanced lung cancer was not correlated with anxiety and depression score(P>0.1).The self-care ability,the nature of the disease,and whether the patient was treated for chemotherapy were the independent influencing factors of the patient’s quality of life,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.001).Conclusion:Patients with advanced lung cancer have different degrees of anxiety and depression,and their quality of life is affected by many factors,which are mainly related to the patient’s self-care ability,the nature of the disease,and whether they received chemotherapy.

A Study on the Influences of the COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Treatment-Crisis on Quality of Life in Cancer Patients - A Secondary Publication

Objective:To investigate the factors affecting the quality of life of cancer patients by examining the degree of the COVID-19 pandemic-related depression,anxiety,stress,and treatment crisis.Methods:Data were collected from 132 cancer patients undergoing surgery,chemotherapy,radiotherapy,and hormone therapy at K University Hospital in D City using a structured questionnaire.The period of data collection was from May 6 to May 28,2022.The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics,t-test,ANOVA,Pearson’s correlation,and stepwise multiple regression.Results:The mean scores of quality-of-life,depression,anxiety,stress,and treatment crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic were 84.64±29.09,15.14±6.49,4.66±5.27,75.83±17.70,and 78.52±19.95,respectively.In terms of factors affecting the quality of life related to the COVID-19 pandemic,COVID-19 pandemic-related stress(β=0.41,P<0.001)appeared to have the greatest impact,followed by COVID-19 pandemic-related treatment-crisis(β=0.28,P=0.002),anxiety(β=0.21,P=0.002),and gender(β=0.14,P=0.009),with a total explanatory power of 67.6%.Conclusion:To improve the quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic,COVID-19 pandemic-related stress,treatment-crisis,and anxiety should be periodically monitored and nursing interventions such as education on infection prevention,management,and emotional support programs should be provided to decrease the COVID-19 pandemic-related stress,treatment-crisis,and anxiety.

Laparoscopy-assisted pylorus-preserving gastrectomy for early gastric cancer: A retrospective study of long-term functional outcomes and quality of life

BACKGROUND Laparoscopy-assisted pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (LAPPG) was known to have benefits of function-preserving surgery compared to laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG). However, in clinical settings, delayed gastric emptying and esophageal reflux following LAPPG can be serious issues, making surgeons reluctant to perform LAPPG. It is unclear that LAPPG had better longterm functional outcomes and quality of life compared to LADG. AIM To evaluate the long-term functional outcomes and patient-reported quality of life of LAPPG compared to those of LADG. METHODS We reviewed the clinicopathological data of 195 patients who underwent LADG with Billroth II anastomosis and 101 patients who underwent LAPPG for cT1N0 gastric cancer in the middle third of the stomach between 2012 and 2015. Postoperative complications, nutritional parameters, and survey results of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Questionnaire C30 and STO22 questionnaire were compared between the two groups. RESULTS The serum hemoglobin level was significantly higher in the LAPPG group than in the LADG group (P < 0.001). In the endoscopic findings, incidence of bile reflux was lower (P < 0.001);however, the incidence of residual food was higher in the LAPPG group than in the LADG group (P < 0.001). Regarding the quality of life score, the LAPPG group had a better physical functioning score (86.7 vs 90.0, P = 0.032) but also greater pain and reflux when compared to the LADG group [8.3 vs 16.7 in pain, 11.1 (interquartile range, 0, 22.2) vs 11.1 (interquartile range, 11.1, 33.3) in reflux, P = 0.034 and 0.001, respectively]. CONCLUSION LAPPG is beneficial to recovery of anemia and to bile reflux, however, it might be unfavorable in terms of pain and reflux symptoms compared to LADG with Billroth II anastomosis.

Relationship between diversion colitis and quality of life in rectal cancer

AIM:To investigated the incidence of diversion colitis(DC) and impact of DC symptoms on quality of life(QoL) after ileostomy reversal in rectal cancer.METHODS:We performed a prospective study with 30 patients who underwent low anterior resection and the creation of a temporary ileostomy for the rectal cancer between January 2008 and July 2009 at the Department of Surgery,Korea University Anam Hospital.The participants totally underwent two rounds of the examinations.At first examination,endoscopies,tissue biopsies,and questionnaire survey about the symptom were performed 3-4 mo after the ileostomy creations.At second examination,endoscopies,tissue biopsies,and questionnaire survey about the symptom and QoL were performed 5-6 mo after the ileostomy reversals.Clinicopathological data were based on the histopathological reports and clinical records of the patients.RESULTS:At the first examination,all of the patients presented with inflammation,which was mild in 15(50%) patients,moderate in 11(36.7%) and severe in 4(13.3%) by endoscopy and mild in 14(46.7%) and moderate in 16(53.3%) by histology.At the second examination,only 11(36.7%) and 17(56.7%) patients had mild inflammation by endoscopy and histology,respectively.There was no significant difference in DC grade between the endoscopic and the histological findings at first or second examination.The symptoms detected on the first and second questionnaires were mucous discharge in 12(40%) and 5(17%) patients,bloody discharge in 5(17%) and 3(10%) patients,abdominal pain in 4(13%) and 2(7%) patients and tenesmus in 9(30%) and 5(17%) patients,respectively.We found no correlation between the endoscopic or histological findings and the symptoms such as mucous discharge,bleeding,abdominal pain and tenesmus in both time points.Diarrhea was detected in 9 patients at the second examination;this number correlated with the severity of DC(0%,0%,66.7%,33.3% vs 0%,71.4%,23.8%,4.8%,P = 0.001) and the symptom-related QoL(r =-0.791,P < 0.001).CONCLUSION:The severity of DC is related to diarrhea after an ileostomy reversal and may adversely affect QoL.

Improved quality of life in patients with gastric cancer after esophagogastrostomy reconstruction

AIM:To compare postoperative quality of life (QOL) in patients with gastric cancer treated by esophagogastrostomy reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy.METHODS: QOL assessments that included functional outcomes (a 24-item survey about treatment-specific symptoms) and health perception (Spitzer QOL Index) were performed in 149 patients with gastric cancer in the upper third of the stomach, who had received proximal gastrectomy with additional esophagogastrostomy.RESULTS: Fifty-four patients underwent reconstruction by esophagogastric anterior wall end-to-side anastomosis combined with pyloroplasty (EA group); 45 patients had reconstruction by esophagogastric posterior wall end-to-side anastomosis (EP group); and 50 patients had reconstruction by esophagogastric end-to-end anastomosis (EE group). The EA group showed the best postoperative QOL, such as recovery of body weight, less discomfort after meals, and less heart burn or belching at 6 and 24 mo postoperatively. However, the survival rates, surgical results and Spitzer QOL index were similar among the three groups.CONCLUSION: Postoperative QOL was better in the EA than EP or EE group. To improve QOL after proximal gastrectomy for upper third gastric cancer, the EA procedure using a stapler is safe and feasible for esophagogastrostomy.

Quality of life:A critical outcome for all surgical treatmentsof gastric cancer

Surgery represents the main curative therapeutic modality for gastric cancer, and it is occasionally considered for palliation as well as prophylaxis. Most frequently, surgical outcomes are conveyed in terms of oncological outcomes such as recurrence and survival.However, quality of life(Qo L) is also important and should be considered when making treatment decisions- including the extent of and approach to surgery. Measurement of Qo L usually involves the application of questionnaires. While there are multiple Qo L questionnaires validated for use in oncology patients, there are very few that have been validated for use in those with gastric cancer. In this review, we discuss and compare the current status of Qo L questionnaires in gastric cancer. More importantly, the impact of surgery for treatment, palliation and prophylaxis of gastric cancer on Qo L will be described. These data should inform the surgeon on the optimal approach to treating gastric cancer, taking into account oncological outcomes. Knowledge gaps are also identified, providing a roadmap for future studies.

Quality of life after three kinds of esophagectomy for cancer

AIM： TO evaluate quality of life （QOL） following Ivor Lewis, left transthoracic, and combined thoracoscopic/ laparoscopic esophagectomy in patients with esopha- geal cancer. METHODS： Ninety patients with esophageal cancer were assigned to Ivor Lewis （/7 = 30）, combined thora- coscopic/laparoscopic （n = 30）, and left transthoracic （n = 30） esophagectomy groups. The QOL-core 30 questionnaire and the supplemental QOL-esophageal module 18 questionnaire for patients with esophageal cancer, both developed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, were used to evaluate patients＇ QOL from 1 wk before to 24 wk after surgery. RESULTS： A total of 324 questionnaires were collect- ed from 90 patients, 36 postoperative questionnaires were not completed because patients could not be contacted for follow-up visits. QOL declined markedly in all patients at 1 wk postoperatively： preoperative and 1-wk postoperative global QOL scores in the Ivor Lewis, combined thoracoscopic/laparoscopic, and left transthoracic groups were 80.8 ± 9.3 vs 32.0 ± 16.1 （P 〈 0.001）, 81.1±9.0 vs 53.3 ± 11.5 （P 〈 0.001）, and 83.6 ± 11.2 vs 46.4 ± 11.3 （P 〈 0.001）, respectively. Thereafter, QOL recovered gradually in all patients. Patients who underwent Ivor Lewis esophagectomy showed the most pronounced decline in QOL; global scores were lower in this group than in the combined thoracoscopic/laparoscopic （P 〈 0.001） and left trans- thoracic （P 〈 0.001） groups at 1 wk postoperatively and was not restored to the preoperative level at 24 wk postoperatively. QOL declined least in patients under- going combined thoracoscopic/laparoscopic esopha- gectomy, and most indices had recovered to preopera- tive levels at 24 wk postoperatively. In the Ivor Lewis and combined thoracoscopic/laparoscopic groups, pain and physical function scores were 78.9 ± 18.5 vs 57.8 ± 19.9 （P 〈 0.001） and 59.3 ± 16.1 vs 70.2 ± 19.2 （P = 0.02）, respectively, at 1 wk postoperatively and 26.1 ± 28.6 vs 9.5 ± 15.6 （P = 0.007） and 88.4 ± 10.5 vs 95.8 ± 7.3 （P = 0.003）, respectively, at 24 wk postop- eratively. Scores in the left transthoracic esophagecto- my group fell between those of the other two groups. CONCLUSION： Compared with Ivor Lewis and left transthoracic esophagectomies, combined thoraco- scopic/laparoscopic esophagectomy enables higher postoperative QOL, making it a preferable surgical ap- proach for esophageal cancer.

Quality of life after laparoscopic vs open sphincter-preserving resection for rectal cancer

AIM: To compare quality of life (QoL) outcomes in Chinese patients after curative laparoscopic vs open surgery for rectal cancer. METHODS: Eligible Chinese patients with rectal cancer undergoing curative laparoscopic or open sphincterpreserving resection between July 2006 and July 2008 were enrolled in this prospective study. The QoL outcomes were assessed longitudinally using the validated Chinese versions of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and QLQCR38 questionnaires before surgery and at 4, 8, and 12 mo after surgery. The QoL scores at the different time points were compared between the laparoscopic and open groups. A higher score on a functional scale indicated better functioning, whereas a higher score on a symptom scale indicated a higher degree of symptoms.RESULTS: Seventy-four patients (49 laparoscopic and 25 open) were enrolled. The two groups of patients were comparable in terms of sociodemographic data, types of surgery, tumor staging, and baseline mean QoL scores. There was no significant decrease from baseline in global QoL for the laparoscopic group at different time points, whereas the global QoL was worse compared to baseline beginning at 4 mo but returned to baseline by 12 mo for the open group (P = 0.019, Friedman test). Compared to the open group, the laparoscopic group had significantly better physical (89.9±1.4 vs 79.2±3.7, P = 0.016), role (85.0±3.4 vs 63.3±6.9, P = 0.005), and cognitive (73.5±3.4 vs 50.7±6.2, P = 0.002) functioning at 8 mo, fewer micturition problems at 4-8 mo (4 mo: 32.3±4.7 vs 54.7±7.1, P = 0.011; 8 mo: 22.8±4.0 vs 40.7±6.9, P = 0.020), and fewer male sexual problems from 8 mo onward (20.0±8.5 vs 76.7±14.5, P = 0.013). At 12 mo after surgery, no significant differences were observed in any functional or symptom scale between the two groups, with the exception of male sexual problems, which remained worse in the open group (29.2±11.3 vs 80.0±9.7, P = 0.026). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic sphincter-preserving resection for rectal cancer is associated with better preservation of QoL and fewer male sexual problems when compared with open surgery in Chinese patients. These findings, however, should be interpreted with caution because of the small sample size of the study.

Quality of life in patients with liver cancer after operation:a 2-year follow-up study

BACKGROUND:Quality of life (QL) is a concept which reflects the physical, social, and emotional attitudes and behaviours of an individual. QL assessment is becoming in- creasingly recognised as an outcome and predictor for can- cer patients. Although hepatectomy has been widely ac- cepted as treatment of choice to offer a chance of cure for patients with liver cancer, little is known about the subjec- tive clinical results after this operation. This prospective study was designed to evaluate the Pre- and postoperative quality of life in patients with liver cancer. METHODS: The quality of life of 36 consecutive patients was measured using gastrointestinal quality of life index (GQLI) regularly 2 years after the operation, starting with a preoperative measurement. RESULTS: The score of mean preoperative GQLI was 106 ± 13 points, and it was reduced significantly 2-10 weeks after the operation (86-98) (P <0. 05-0.001). The quality of life recovered gradually. The GQLI score was 101 ± 21 points 4 months after operation and increased to the preo- perative level ( P > 0. 05 ). In the patients who survived more than 9 months, the GQLI score was higher than that before the operation. Major hepatectomy (lobectomy and combined segmentectomy) reduced the GQLI score more evidently than did minor hepatectomy (simple segmentec- tomy ) in 2-5 weeks after the operation (P <0.05). The age and preoperative liver function of the patients played an im- portant role in the recovery of the quality of life in the early postoperative stage (P <0.05). The patients with tumor re- currence showed a continuous decrease of the quality of life (P<0.05-0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of the quality of life is meaningful for patients with liver cancer. Tumor recur- rence, poor liver function and major operation are the most important factors for reducing the quality of life. He- patic resection is justified by its effects on the survival and the quality of life of the patients.

Value of quality of life analysis in liver cancer: A clinician's perspective

Health related quality of life(HRQOL) is increasingly recognized as an important clinical parameter and research endpoint in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). HRQOL in HCC patients is multifaceted and affected by medical factor which encompasses HCC and its complications, oncological and palliative treatment for HCC, underlying liver disease, as well as the psychological, social or spiritual reaction to the disease. Many patients presented late with advanced disease and limited survival, plagued with multiple symptoms, rendering QOL a very important aspect in their general well being. Various instruments have been developed and validated to measure and report HRQOL in HCC patients, these included general HRQOL instruments, e.g., Short form(SF)-36, SF-12, Euro Qo L-5D, World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment 100(WHOQOL-100), World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment abbreviated version; general cancer HRQOL instruments, e.g., the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer(EORTC) QLQ-C30, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy(FACT)-General, Spitzer Quality of Life Index; and liver-cancer specific HRQOL instruments, e.g., EORTC QLQ-HCC18, FACT-Hepatobiliary(FACT-Hep), FACT-Hep Symptom Index, Trial Outcome Index. Important utilization of HRQOL in HCC patients included description of symptomatology and HRQOL of patients, treatment endpoint in clinical trial, prognostication of survival, benchmarking of palliative care service and health care valuation. In this review, difficulties regarding the use of HRQOL data in research and clinical practice, including choosing a suitable instrument, problems of missing data, data interpretation, analysis and presentation are examined. Potential solutions are also discussed.

Quality of Life in Cancer Patients with Pain in Beijing

Objective： To investigate the quality of life （QOL） of cancer pain patients in Beijing, and explore the effect of cancer pain control on patients＇ QOL. Methods： Self-developed demographic questionnaire, numeric rating scale and SF-36 questionnaire were used together among 643 cancer pain patients in 28 Grade 2nd to 3rd general hospitals and 2 Grade 3rd cancer hospitals. Results： The SF-36 eight dimensions scores ranged from 31.75 to 57.22 in these cancer pain patients. The t test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used to compare the QOL between pain controlled （PC） group and pain uncontrolled （PUC） group, and the results showed that patients in PC group had the higher O, OL scores in 6 areas of SF-36 （P〈0.05）. Binary logistic regression results found that pain management satisfaction scores （P〈0.001）, family average personal monthly income （P=0.029）, current receiving chemotherapy （P=0.009） and cancer stage （P〈0.001） were the predictors to cancer pain controlled results. Conclusion： Cancer patients with pain in Beijing had poor QOL. Pain control will improve the QOL of cancer pain patients.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN LUNG CANCER PATIENTS: MEASURED BY EORTC QLQ-C30 QLQ-LC13

Objective: The aims of this cross-sectional descriptive study were to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) of the lung cancer patients and to investigate differences in QoL with respect to general and medical characteristics. Methods: Structured questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-LC13) were used among 106 consecutive lung cancer patients for data collection during 1 Jan 2002 to 31 Dec 2002. The t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to compare differences of QoL between the factors at a 5% level of significance. Results: The study revealed that the quality of life of the lung cancer patients were worse than reference value. The young, male and married patient groups had better QoL. Patients with lower education or income had worse QoL. Small cell lung cancer patients reported poorer QoL than non-small cell lung cancer patients. The quality of life in patients at late stage or with metastasis had worse QoL. The treatments could worsen the quality of life. When the outcomes of the four treatments were compared, the surgery group displayed the best quality of life and the combined treatment group displayed the worst quality of life. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed important ramifications for clinicians, researchers and policy-makers.

Nutritional status and quality of life of the gastric cancer patients in Changle County of China

AIM: To analyze the relation between nutrition and quality of life in the stomach cancer patients, evaluate the intake of daily nutrition of the patients, and study the feasibility of nutrition intervention in improving quality of life of the stomach cancer patients.METHODS: A total of 285 surgical stomach cancer patients reported in the Changle Cancer Registry from 2002 to 2003 were investigated with respect to their diet and quality of life. Daily nutrition intakes of the patients were calculated according to the Food Composition Database, and these data were compared with the reference values proposed by the Chinese Nutrition Society. The partial correlation was used to analyze the relationship between nutrition and quality of life in the patients. Stepwise multiple regression analyses were conducted to analyze the factors influencing nutrition intake in stomach cancer patients.RESULTS: Except vitamin C, there were statistical correlations between the nutrition and quality of life in stomach cancer patients, and differences of the daily nutrition intake among three groups (good, modest and bad quality of life) of the patients were significant. Most of the stomach cancer patients had a lower daily nutrition intake than the reference values. At the significance level α = 0.05, the factors influencing the daily nutrition intake of the patients were number of meals a day, family income, way of operation, exercise and age.CONCLUSION: The nutritional status of the operated patients with stomach cancer may impact on their quality of life. The stomach cancer patients in Changle County have a low level of daily nutrition intake, which suggests that they have a bad nutritional status. To improve the quality of life of the patients, the nutrition intervention should be conducted. Increasing times of meals a day and having a high-protein, high-calorie foods can improve the nutritional status of the stomach cancer patients.Moreover, exercise for rehabilitation can whet the appetite of the patients and recover their body function, which in turn may improve the quality of life of the stomach cancer patients.

Improvement of Quality of Life with Shenfu Injection (参附注射液) in Non Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Gemcitabine plus Cisplatin Regimen

Objective： To observe the effect of Shenfu injection （参附注射液, SFI） in treating non small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） patients on quality of life with gemcitabine （GEM） plus cisplatin （GP） regimen. Methods： Thirty-four patients were ready to receive GP regimen chemotherapy for treating NSCLC disease, according to lot-drawing, they were divided into SFI pre-treatment group （18 cases） and SFI post-treatment group （ 16 cases）. SFI pre-treatment group： During the first treatment course, chemotherapy was begun with SFI 60 ml, intravenous dripping on the 3rd day, once daily, consecutively for 10 days; on the 1st day, GP regimen （GEM 1250 mg/m^2 , intravenous dripping, on the 1st and 8th day; cisplatin 70 mg/m^2 on the 2nd day; 21 days as one cycle） was carried out; in the second treatment course GP regimen was merely given to serve as the self-control. SFI post-treatment group： the medicament sequence order was reversed from that of pre-treatment group. Using dual international quality of life （QOL） scores, the effect of SFI on the patients＂ QOL was observed through randomized self pre- and post- crossover control. Results： The QOL in the 34 patients after being treated by SFI in combination with GP chemotherapy regimen in one group, and GP chemotherapy regimen alone in the other, was improved in different degrees, with significant difference （P〈0.01）; comparision of SFI combined with GP chemotherapy regimen with GP chemotherapy alone showed that QOL in patients was significantly different （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： SFI could improve QOL in patients with NSCLC who were treated with GP regimen.