Quality of life in Mexican colorectal cancer patients: analysis with sociodemographic, medical, and psychological variables

• Published in: Psychology, health & medicine health & medicine, 2021-08, Vol.26 (7), p.853-866
• Main Authors: Acevedo-Ibarra, Jessica Noemí, Juárez-García, Dehisy Marisol, Espinoza-Velazco, Absalón, Buenaventura-Cisneros, Sergio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Body image; Colon cancer; Colorectal cancer; Constipation; distress; Embarrassment; Emotional well being; functioning; Gender differences; Incontinence; Life stress; Medical diagnosis; Optimism; Ostomy; Pain; Post traumatic stress disorder; Psychological distress; Quality of life; Social functioning; Sociodemographics; symptoms; Urinary incontinence
• ISSN: 1354-8506; 1465-3966
• DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2020.1807578

In this study, we evaluated the influence of sex, age, clinical stage, and colostomy/ileostomy variables on the quality of life of Mexican patients with colorectal cancer. Using a descriptive cross-sectional design, 192 colorectal cancer patients were included in the study. Significant differences were observed in emotional functioning between patients with rectal cancer and those with colon cancer. Presence of colostomy/ileostomy was associated with significantly impaired social functioning. Body image was significantly different based on gender and diagnosis. Likewise, significant differences were observed with respect to symptoms of the general and specific quality of life modules for colorectal cancer: these included significant difference between male and female patients with respect to taste; significant difference between rectal and colon cancer with respect to presence of blood and mucous in stool, urinary incontinence, and buttock pain; and significant difference between patients with and without colostomy/ileostomy with respect to constipation, stool frequency, sore skin, and embarrassment. We observed significant correlation of dimensions of the quality of life with distress, post-traumatic stress, and optimism. Interventions for improving the quality of life of patients with colorectal cancer should be individualized based on the specific diagnosis and the presence/absence of colostomy/ileostomy.