Abstract
The aim of this study is to define quality of life in cancer patients after gastrectomy by evaluating correlation between eating habits and postoperative symptoms, and psychological health. Eighty-nine patients without any symptoms of recurrence for at least 12 months after gastrectomy for cancer, in a university hospital, were interviewed using questionnaires, at the out-patient clinic. The original questionnaire, including evaluation of postoperative eating habits and symptoms associated with gastrectomy, as well as the Japanese version of General Health Questionnaire 28 (GHQ 28) were used. The correlation between the results of GHQ 28 and the results of the original questionnaire were evaluated. The results revealed that average point of GHQ 28 was 4.3. This was less than 5, which is considered healthy, in 59 patients (66.3%). The patients loss of appetite, amount of single meal intake being less than 80% of preoperative intake, dissatisfaction with eating habits, postprandial discomfort, and bitter reflux, or diarrhea were significantly higher in the GHQ 28, than that of other patients. In conclusion, the quality of psychological health deteriorated in the patients associated with loss of appetite and oral up-take, dumping symptoms, or reflux.
