QoL of Colorectal Cancer Patients and Spouses

The aim of the present prospective, comparative study was to compare the quality of life (QoL) of patients after colorectal surgery to the QoL of their spouses. The study included patients who underwent curative surgery for colorectal carcinoma (n = 100; abdominoperineal excision \[n = 33\], low anterior resection \[n = 33\], left hemicolectomy \[n = 34\]) and their spouses (n = 100). The patients and spouses completed the Medical Outcome Study 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36) and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS-II) preoperatively and at postoperative months 15 to 18. The QoL of patients and that of their spouses changed following surgery for colorectal cancer. These changes were more significant among male patients' spouses.

Sex

All

Minimum age

18 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

1. curative surgery for colorectal adenocarcinoma
2. living with a spouse
3. aged over 18 years
4. Muslim faith.

Exclusion Criteria:

1\) Other primary malignant tumors 4) Additional complicating or disabling disease that necessitated nursing assistance (e.g., mental illness) 5) Chemo-radiotherapy within 8 weeks prior to the interview 6) Admittance to a hospital except for stoma closure during the study period (no interview during stoma closure) 7) Major morbidity (e.g., anastomotic leakage, abdominal sepsis, stoma-related problems, and intensive care unit transfer) 8) Evidence of disease recurrence or metastasis, which was determined at the time of follow-up interviews