Dieperink KB, Hansen S, Wagner L, Johansen C, Andersen KK, Hansen O. Living alone, obesity and smoking: important factors for quality of life after radiotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer.
Acta Oncol 2012;
51:722-9. [PMID:
22793038 DOI:
10.3109/0284186x.2012.682627]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
While effective treatment of prostate cancer with radiotherapy and hormones increase survival, adverse effects may reduce quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to investigate frequency and severity of self-assessed late adverse effects, and identify the patients most exposed.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
QoL of 317 cancer survivors with primary stage T1-T3 prostate cancer treated with conformal radiotherapy (70-78 Gy) and androgen deprivation therapy was analyzed by using SF-12 and EPIC-26 questionnaires. Patients were stratified into three groups, filling out the questionnaires 1-2, 2-3, and 3-4 years after radiotherapy. Differences between groups were tested with ANOVA and the χ(2) test. The influence of marital status, severe obesity, smoking, stage of disease, and applied dose of radiotherapy on QoL was evaluated with multiple linear and logistic regression analyses.
RESULTS
Of 337 patients, 317 (94%) answered the questionnaire. The sexual and hormonal summary scores in the EPIC significantly improved during time since radiotherapy (p < 0.001). Current smoking had a negative effect on SF-12 Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores, on EPIC bowel overall bother (OR 7.8; p = 0.003), on EPIC mean urinary incontinence scores, and on the sexual domain. Severe obesity had a negative influence on SF-12 PCS and vitality. Severe obesity also was a negative predictor for moderate-to-severe problems in the EPIC urinary incontinence, and in the hormonal domain. Living alone was associated with lower SF-12 PCS, MCS scores, and SF-12 general health, social functioning, and the EPIC hormonal domain. The stage of disease or the radiation dose had no statistically significant impact on QoL.
CONCLUSION
Results showed significant negative associations between smoking, severe obesity and living alone on self-assessed late adverse effects after radiotherapy for prostate cancer. This information may guide rehabilitation.
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