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. 2023 Jul;149(7):2735-2742.
doi: 10.1007/s00432-022-04154-3. Epub 2022 Jun 30.

Quality of life in Tunisian colorectal cancer patients: a cross-sectional study

Imtinene Belaid  1 , Chaimaa Ben Moussa  2 , Rihab Melliti  3 , Manel Limam  2 , Tarek Ben Ahmed  3 , Faten Ezzaari  3 , Mohamed Amine Elghali  4 , Amal Bouazzi  5 , Mohamed Ben Mabrouk  5 , Rym Bourigua  3 , Nouha Ammar  3 , Makrem Hochlaf  3 , Leila Ben Fatma  3 , Imene Chabchoub  3 , Slim Ben Ahmed  3
Affiliations

Quality of life in Tunisian colorectal cancer patients: a cross-sectional study

Imtinene Belaid et al. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2023 Jul.

Abstract

Purpose: Quality of life (QOL) of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients has been little studied in Tunisia. The aim of this work was to evaluate the QOL of CRC patients and to identify factors that may influence it.

Methods: A cross-sectional, study spread was made over a period of 6 months on patients with CRC treated in the department of Medical Oncology of Farhat Hached University Hospital of Sousse. The EORTC questionnaires translated and validated in Arabic (QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR29) were used.

Results: 142 patients diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer were enrolled. The overall QOL score was 58.5 ± 29.1. The emotional and sexual functional dimensions were the most affected, especially in women and patients under 50 years of age. QOL scores were higher in patients who were in complete remission (71.4 ± 24.7) and in good general condition (63.7 ± 26.6) physical activity may have a significant influence on all functional dimensions of QOL (p < 0.001). Fatigue was significantly (p < 0.001) more present when there was a sedentary lifestyleradiotherapy, palliative chemotherapy (1st and 2nd line) and targeted therapy.

Conclusion: Evaluating quality of life of patients with colorectal cancer in Tunisia is necessary especially those under 50 years old and in women. Laparoscopic surgery with restoration of intestinal continuity, less toxic palliative chemotherapy protocols, more accessibility to new radiotherapy technics will improve QOL of CRC patients. Physical activity and nutrition support are also essential in promoting QOL of these patients.

Keywords: Chemotherapy; Colorectal surgery; Colorectal tumors; Quality of life.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

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