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Experiences of colorectal cancer patients in the 2-years post-diagnosis and patient factors predicting poor outcome

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Abstract

Purpose

There are few recent longitudinal studies investigating the quality of life of colorectal cancer patients in the early years following diagnosis. This study aimed to (i) compare the health status of people with colorectal cancer less than 1 year from diagnosis with health status 1 year later and (ii) determine the characteristics associated with a change in overall health status.

Methods

The study was conducted as part of a larger trial. Participants (n = 539) were identified via the Victorian Cancer Registry in Australia, completed a computer-assisted baseline telephone interview (including the EQ-5D-3L) within 6–12 months of diagnosis, and mailed a survey 12 months later.

Results

At baseline, the majority of participants (55 %) reported some problems, including difficulties in usual activities (26 %), pain or discomfort (25 %), anxiety or depression (23 %) and mobility issues (15 %). Sixty-nine percent had either an unchanged or increased health utility score from baseline to follow-up. The largest proportion reporting an increase in problems between baseline and follow-up related to pain or discomfort (18 %). While visual analogue scale scores indicated a significantly improved health state over time overall, 32 % reported a decreased health utility score from baseline to follow-up. Those aged over 80 years were more likely to report a decreased health utility score compared to 60–80-year-olds.

Conclusions

A sizeable minority of patients experience ongoing problems in their daily lives and should be offered assistance in overcoming disabilities and returning to best possible functioning, particularly older patients who appear to be vulnerable to poor outcomes.

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Author contribution

All of the authors have contributed to drafting and editing the paper; RSF, CD, DH and FM contributed to development of the concept; CP, MC and EC were involved in data collection; CP, EC, MC, CD, DH, FM and RSF were involved in data analysis and interpretation. All authors contributed to and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Christine L. Paul.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare they have no conflicts of interest.

Funding

This research was supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grant (Grant ID 510776), a Strategic Research Partnership Grant from Cancer Council NSW to the Newcastle Cancer Control Collaborative (New-3C), and infrastructure funding from the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI). Christine Paul was supported by an HMRI fellowship and is supported by an NHMRC Career Development Fellowship.

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Paul, C.L., Cameron, E., Doran, C. et al. Experiences of colorectal cancer patients in the 2-years post-diagnosis and patient factors predicting poor outcome. Support Care Cancer 24, 4921–4928 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-016-3348-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-016-3348-2

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