1994 Volume 8 Issue 1 Pages 35-41
Abstract
Many patients suffering from pancreatic cancer undergo a pancreato-duodenectomy (PD), but the survival rate is low, and post-operative daily activity is difficult. The purposes of this study were to investigate : 1) The relationship between the subjective and objective evaluations of quality of life (QOL) using two scales ; and 2) The factors which influence QOL of the post-operative pancreatic carcinoma patient.
The subjects were 23 PD patients who survived for 1 to 19 years. We visited the patients' homes to interview them and to administer a Quality of Life Index survey Cancer Version (QLI-CV, Ferrans & Powers) and a questionnaire about daily life after the operation. The Performance Status Scale survey (PS) was filled out by two visiting nurses. The QLI survey was administered to establish a subjective index of QOL, whereas the PS survey was filled out by the nurses to establish an objective index. We used these indices to evaluate QOL within the framework outlined by the answers to questions about daily life after the operation.
The results were : 1) The QLI scores exhibited hardly any variation regardless of the extent of the operation ; 2) The QLI scores didn't correspond with the PS scores ; 3) Of the factors included in the questionnaire, the six which most influenced the QLI scores in order of influence were : patient had diarrhea or not ; patient could leave home or not ; age ; patient could cook or not ; marital status ; and patient was aware of their cartinoma diagnosis or not.
After PD the patients' QOL was good even when further digestive organs' disorders remained. Since of the six factors mentioned above three were closely ralated to family relationship, we believed more detailed reseach is needed in the area of family support.
