Clin Transl Oncol. 2016 Feb;18(2):144-52. doi: 10.1007/s12094-015-1346-3. Epub 2015 Jul 22.

A cross-sectional assessment of quality of life of colorectal cancer patients in Saudi Arabia.

Almutairi KM¹, Alhelih E², Al-Ajlan AS³, Vinluan JM⁴.

Author information

1: Department of Community Health Science, College of Applied Medical Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Kalmutairim@ksu.edu.sa.
2: Medical Surgical Department, College of Nursing, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. eyad@KSU.EDU.SA.
3: Clinical Laboratories Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. aalajl@hotmail.com.
4: Department of Community Health Science, College of Applied Medical Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Jvinluan.c@ksu.edu.sa.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to describe the quality of life of Saudi colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and identify the factors that may further improve health care for CRC survivors in Saudi Arabia (KSA).

METHODS:

A total of 106 CRC patients from five different private and public tertiary level hospitals in Saudi Arabia participated in this study. CRC patient was interviewed by a trained researcher between September and December 2014. All respondents answered a three-part questionnaire which includes demographic data and a validated Arabic version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life.

RESULTS:

Participants had a mean score for global health of 67.1 (95 % CI 62.55-71.71). Among the five scales of quality of life, social functioning and functional scales of CRC patients scored the highest [Mean 83.49 (95 % CI 78.64-86.33)] while the lowest scored was emotional scales [66.9 (95 % CI 61.81-71.98)]. Insomnia was considered the most distressing symptom on the symptom scales. Using the disease-specific tool, it was found that sexual interest scored the highest. On the symptom scale, dissatisfaction with stoma care problems scored the highest.

CONCLUSION:

Factors associated with a major reduction in all domains of quality of life included employment status and tumor location. This study identifies the factors and issues that affect the quality of life of CRC patients in KSA. Addressing these factors and issues may lessen the burden of cancer survivors in the KSA or may prolong their survival.