Disparity of Perception of Quality of Life Between Head and Neck Cancer Patients and Caregivers

Abstract Background Caregivers are invaluable sources of support for individuals recovering from head and neck cancer (HNC). Accordingly, minimizing caregiver distress is essential to promote the well-being of both caregivers and their patients. This study assessed if psychosocial distress (i.e., anxiety and depression) among HNC caregivers is associated with a difference in how caregivers and their patients perceive patients’ quality of life (QOL) after treatment completion. Methods Caregivers’ and patients’ perceptions of patient QOL were assessed using the University of Washington QOL Questionaire (UWQOL), a validated HNC-specific health-related QOL questionnaire. The survey is interpreted in terms of its two composite scores: a physical QOL score and a social-emotional QOL score with higher scores indicating better QOL. Caregiver anxiety was assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Questionaire-7 (GAD-7) and caregiver depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionaire 8 (PHQ-8). Patients completed the UWQOL as part of clinic intake while caregivers were asked to complete the UWQOL for their patients in addition to the PHQ-8 and GAD-7 in private. Linear regression was used to analyze the association between differences in caregivers’ and patients’ QOL scores (both social-emotional and physical QOL subscale scores) and GAD-7 and PHQ-8 scores. Results Of 47 caregivers recruited, 42.6% (n = 20) viewed patients’ social-emotional QOL more negatively than patients themselves, while 31.9% viewed patients’ physical QOL more negatively. After controlling for covariates, differences in perception of social-emotional QOL (p = .01) and differences in perception of physical QOL (p = .007) were significantly associated with caregiver depression, but not anxiety. Caregivers who disagreed with patients regarding patients’ social-emotional QOL scored 6.80 points higher on the PHQ8 than agreeing caregivers. Caregivers who disagreed regarding patients’ physical QOL scored 6.09 points higher. Conclusion Caregivers commonly view patients’ QOL more negatively than patients themselves. These caregivers tend to have greater psychosocial distress than caregivers who agree with their patients. Interventions designed to identify and aid at-risk caregivers are critically needed. We propose screening for differences in perception of patient QOL as a way of identifying distressed caregivers as well as provider-facilitated communication between patients and caregivers as possible interventions that should be examined in future research.

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Mapping the University of Washington Quality of life questionnaire onto EQ‐5D and HUI‐3 indices in patients with head and neck cancer

Head & Neck ◽

10.1002/hed.26031 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 42 (3) ◽

pp. 513-521 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Robert F. Stephens ◽

Christopher W. Noel ◽

Jie (Susie) Su ◽

Wei Xu ◽

Murray Krahn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

University Of Washington ◽

Quality Of Life Questionnaire ◽

The University

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Filipino head and neck cancer patients and their quality of life

International Journal of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery ◽

10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20200540 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 439

Author(s):

Frederic Ivan L. Ting ◽

Aylmer Rex B. Hernandez ◽

Reno Eufemon P. Cereno ◽

Irisyl B. Orolfo-Real ◽

Corazon A. Ngelangel

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

The Philippines ◽

Head And Neck Cancers ◽

The Social ◽

The University

Background: In the management of head and neck cancer (HNC), assessment of quality of life (QoL) is imperative because of the potentially debilitating effect of treatment toxicities. Currently, there are no published data assessing the QoL in Filipino HNC patients, thus this study.Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized the University of the Philippines - Department of Health Quality of Life scale. Patients with head and neck cancers at the University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital from February to September 2019 were invited to participate. Results: A total of 418 patients were included in the study with a mean age of 42 years old (range 18 to 73 years old). In general, Filipino head and neck cancer patients had moderate QoL (mean score of 4.59±0.79). All of the QoL domains (physical, emotional, cognitive, and related functions) had a score of 3-5 (moderate), except for the social status domain which had a mean score of 5.51±0.83 (high). Among socio-demographic factors, patients who are employed and with additional funding sources on top of their income have better global QoL (p<0.01). Clinically, patients with higher stages of disease, fungating tumors, post-laryngectomy, have a feeding tube, with a tracheostomy, and had chemotherapy have lower global QoL (p<0.01).Conclusions: Filipino patients with head and neck cancers have an overall moderate quality of life, with high scores in the social domain. Patients with higher tumor burdens and have been exposed to chemotherapy have lower QoL scores, while patients with financial stability and aid have better QoL scores.

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Cross-cultural and Moroccan Validation of the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire for Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

Annals of Otology Rhinology & Laryngology ◽

10.1177/0003489415601687 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 125 (2) ◽

pp. 151-159

Author(s):

Choaib Adnane ◽

Tarek Oubahmane ◽

Taoufik Adouly ◽

Loubna Elhani ◽

Sami Rouadi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Cross Cultural ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

University Of Washington ◽

Quality Of Life Questionnaire ◽

The University

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Well-Being and Quality of Life in Head and Neck Cancer

Clinical Care and Rehabilitation in Head and Neck Cancer ◽

10.1007/978-3-030-04702-3_27 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 445-461

Author(s):

Philip C. Doyle ◽

Chelsea MacDonald

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Well Being

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Validation of the University of Washington Quality of Life Chinese Version (UWQOL-C) for head and neck cancer patients in Taiwan

Journal of the Formosan Medical Association ◽

10.1016/j.jfma.2017.01.002 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 116 (4) ◽

pp. 249-256 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Yun-Hsiang Lee ◽

Yeur-Hur Lai ◽

Bevan Yueh ◽

Pen-Yuan Chu ◽

Yen-Ju Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Chinese Version ◽

University Of Washington ◽

The University

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Correlation between Symptom Burden and Perceived Distress in Advanced Head and Neck Cancer: A Prospective Observational Study

Indian Journal of Palliative Care ◽

10.25259/ijpc_406_20 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 27 ◽

pp. 419-425

Author(s):

Shrenik P. Ostwal ◽

Richa Singh ◽

Priti Rashmin Sanghavi ◽

Himanshu Patel ◽

Queenjal Anandi

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Observational Study ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Prospective Observational Study ◽

Well Being ◽

Physical Symptoms ◽

Eligibility Criteria

Objectives: Head and neck cancer (HNC) account for major cancer burden in the Indian population. Patients often present with a diversity of distressing physical and psychological symptoms, significantly affecting their quality of life. This study aims to determine the correlation between symptom cluster and perceived distress in such patients. Materials and Methods: This single center prospective observational study was done on 175 adults advanced HNC patients referred to palliative medicine outpatient clinic. Patients fulfilling eligibility criteria were regularly assessed for their symptoms and distress at baseline and followed up at days 7, 14, and 28. Results: Most patients belong to the age group of 40–50 years and having a diagnosis carcinoma of the tongue. The most common symptoms presented were pain, tiredness, loss of appetite, and feeling of well-being. We observed statistically significant correlation between total ESAS score and distress levels in patients at days 0, 7, and 14, respectively, (P = 0.003 vs. 0.0004 vs. 0.002). However, at day 28, no such statistically significant correlation was found (P = 0.085) suggesting attention to other factors during assessment. Conclusion: Outpatient palliative care consultations have shown significant improvement in symptom and distress score. Perceived distress in a person can not only be related to physical symptoms. Acute control of symptom may uncover underlying psychosocial and spiritual issues which need to be addressed promptly for better quality of life.

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