A Study on Quality of Life after Gastrectomy in Patients with Gastric Cancer with Reference to Knowledge of the Diagnosis

Takao Suzuki, Takenori Ochiai, Matsuo Nagata, Yoshio Gunji, Kazuaki Nakajima, Kaichi Isono

Department of Surgery II, Chiba University School of Medicine

We studied quality of life (QOL) after gastrectomy in 87 patients with gastric cancer with reference to patient's knowledge of the diagnosis. QOL was assessed by a questionnaire consisting of 12 items divided into physical, psychological and social factors. The results were scored from 1 to 5 and the total score (from 12 to 60) represented the QOL of the patients. The QOL of the patients who had knowledge of their cancer was significantly better than that of patients without such knowledge (49.4 vs 45.7, p=0.0067). The background of the two groups was different in time after operation and operative methods. However, the QOL of the patients with knowledge of their diagnosis longer than 6 months after distal gastrectomy was also better than that in patients without such information (51.6 vs 45.3, p=0.0014). Knowledge of the diagnosis raised the physical and social assessment, but did not raise the psychological assessment. In particular, the score for uneasiness about the disease in patients with knowledge of their cancer was significantly worse within 6 months after surgery (p=0.0136). It was suggested that psychological support was essential for patients who were told their diagnosis.

Key words
gastric cancer, quality of life after gastrectomy, knowledge of diagnosis of cancer

Reprint requests
Takao Suzuki Department of Surgery II, Chiba University School of Medicine
1-8-1 Inohana, Chuou-ku, Chiba-shi, 260 JAPAN

Accepted
November 9, 1994

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