Abstract
This study examines the correlation between dyschezia and quality of life in an outpatient population that received either low anterior resection (LAR) or an anterior resection (AR) as treatment for colorectal cancer.
The outpatients answered a questionnaire examining the severity of their dyschezia and it's impact on their quality of life. One hundred ninety two outpatients, with a mean age of 64.6 years (SD=10.4 years) and from 1 to 36 months after surgical resection responded to the questionnaire. Two assessment scales were included in the questionnaire: The Defective Dysfunction Assessment Scale (DDAS) and a self-completed questionnaire for QOL revised (QUIK-R). Data were analyzed using a Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman rank correlation coefficient, and step-wise multiple regression was also performed.
DDAS scores were significantly higher for patients receiving low anterior resection (LAR) than for those receiving anterior resection (AR). A significant relationship was also observed between DDAS and QUIK-R scores, in particular, between“soiling”on the DDAS. Multiple regression analysis revealed that DDAS and resection technique used for treatment accounted for 22.3% of the variance in QUIK-R.
In conclusion, the findings suggest that the severity of dyschezia is related to the resection technique used to treat colorectal cancer. Furthermore the severity of dyschezia was found to exert a significant influence on quality of life.
