A Prospective Investigation of Dispositional Optimism as a Predictor of Health-Related Quality of Life in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of dispositional optimism (DO) as a predictor of health-related quality of life (HRQL) in a sample of upper aerodigestive tract cancer (UADT) patients. A prospective observational study design was used with a cohort of patients from one centre. DO wa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Quality of life research 2000-01, Vol.9 (8), p.951-960
Main Authors: Allison, P J, Guichard, C, Gilain, L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis of Variance
Cancer
Commentary
Comorbidity
Coronary artery bypass
Female
France
Head
Head & neck cancer
Head and neck neoplasms
Head and Neck Neoplasms - psychology
Health Status
Humans
Linear Models
Male
Mathematical functions
Medical research
Mental health outcomes
Middle Aged
Neck
Optimism
Pretreatment
Prospective Studies
Quality of Life
Regression analysis
Temperament
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Summary:The aim of this study was to investigate the role of dispositional optimism (DO) as a predictor of health-related quality of life (HRQL) in a sample of upper aerodigestive tract cancer (UADT) patients. A prospective observational study design was used with a cohort of patients from one centre. DO was evaluated using a French version of the Life Orientation Test (the FLOT) translated and validated for this study. HRQL was evaluated using the EORTC QLQ-C30 prior to and 3 months following treatment. The association between FLOT ratings and HRQL was evaluated using linear multiple regression analysis and a two-way ANOVA with repeated measures. Baseline data were gathered on 101 subjects and follow-up data on 88 of these. The sample was dichotomized around the median FLOT score creating 'optimist' and 'pessimist' groups. Before treatment, optimists reported better role, cognitive and emotional function, less pain and fatigue and a better global rating of HRQL than did pessimists. Following treatment, optimists reported better role and cognitive functioning, less pain and better global HRQL than did pessimists. Pessimists reported a greater deterioration in the role domain following treatment than did optimists. At no point did pessimists rate HRQL better than optimists. The results suggest that optimism is associated with better HRQL in French UADT cancer patients.
ISSN:0962-9343
1573-2649
DOI:10.1023/A:1008931906253