Association between unmet needs and quality of life of cancer patients: A population-based study

• DOI: 10.3109/0284186x.2012.742204
• Publication Date: 2012-12-17T13:47:39Z
• Authors: Dorte Gilså Hansen; Pia Veldt Larsen; Lise Vilstrup Holm; Nina Rottmann; Stinne Holm Bergh...; Jens Søndergaard
• Keywords: Neoplasms/psychology; Adult; Male; Adolescent; Population; Health Services Needs and Demand/statistics & numerical data; Cohort Studies; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Neoplasms; Surveys and Questionnaires; 80 and over; Humans; Registries; Needs Assessment/statistics & numerical data; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Health Services Needs and Demand; Registries/statistics & numerical data; Middle Aged; 3. Good health; Quality of Life; Female; Needs Assessment

Background. Two conceptually different morbidity outcomes unmet needs and health-related quality of life are used to identify cancer patients in need clinical attention evaluate rehabilitation programmes. The knowledge on the interrelation between is scarce. This paper studies hypothesis that patient-perceived during trajectory associated with decreased life. Material methods. Based registers, a Danish population-based cohort adult, incident, mixed-site diagnosed 1 October 2007 30 September 2008 was established. At 14 months following diagnosis participants completed questionnaire including (EORTC QLQ C-30), psychological distress (POMS-SF), regard physical, emotional, family-oriented, sexual, work-related, financial problems. Unmet were assessed through six ad hoc questions. Results. Questionnaires received from 3439 4947 patients, resulting response rate 70%. three most frequent types breast (28.4%), prostate (14.6%) colorectal (15.2%). Overall, 60.1% expressed an at least one area, physical emotional problems being (40.0% 37.5%). For all scales EORTC C-30 POMS, significant adjusted mean differences observed area no (p-values < 0.001). These well above levels usually considered clinically relevant. Further, impairment increased increasing number areas which reported. Discussion. We confirmed study supports use questions attention. Interventions reducing patients' perceived may enhance