Quality of life assessment in nonmelanoma cervicofacial skin cancer. Laryngoscope 2003 Feb;113(2):215-20
Date
02/05/2003Pubmed ID
12567071DOI
10.1097/00005537-200302000-00004Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0037312958 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 50 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Health-related quality of life (QOL) assessment of patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer is poorly understood. The objectives of the study were to determine the general QOL of patients with cervicofacial skin cancer and to identify patient, clinical, and preventive behavior variables associated with patients' QOL.
STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of 121 consecutive patients (65 female and 56 male patients) presenting to a dermatological Mohs surgery clinic with nonmelanoma skin cancer of the head and neck.
METHODS: Quality of life assessment was performed before counseling or treatment. Measures included the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36-item Health Survey (SF-36) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G).
RESULTS: Both instruments demonstrated good internal consistency as measured by Cronbach's alpha (SF-36, alpha = 0.45-0.91; FACT-G, alpha = 0.61-0.90). The SF-36 scores were similar to historical norms. Bivariate analysis indicated significant correlation coefficients between QOL and patients' coexisting illnesses and medical risk factors. Sun-protective behaviors were associated with better QOL. The relationship appeared to be minimally influenced by patients' sociodemographic characteristics and disease-related variables (size, location, extent).
CONCLUSIONS: Sun-protective behaviors were positively associated with certain QOL subscale scores in the population in the study. General QOL instruments demonstrated minimal impact of nonmelanoma skin cancer on patients at initial diagnosis. However, general measures may not be sensitive to the impact of nonmelanoma skin cancer. The development of a more disease-specific instrument may be necessary to evaluate this disease process.
Author List
Rhee JS, Loberiza FR, Matthews BA, Neuburg M, Smith TL, Burzynski MAuthor
John S. Rhee MD Chair, Professor in the Otolaryngology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultAged
Aged, 80 and over
Attitude to Health
Cross-Sectional Studies
Facial Neoplasms
Female
Head and Neck Neoplasms
Health Behavior
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Middle Aged
Mohs Surgery
Protective Clothing
Quality of Life
Radiation Protection
Skin Neoplasms
Socioeconomic Factors
Sunscreening Agents
Surveys and Questionnaires