• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.44-49
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• 2001

Purpose: Quality of life (QOL) assessment should be applied in surgical settings to compare treatment options. We compared QOL after a subtotal versus a total gastrectomy for gastric cancer to identify which resection would produce a better QOL for the patient. Patients and Methods: We studied 362 patients with no evidence of recurrent disease after curative surgery for gastric cancer. The QOL was measured by assessing patient health perceptions according to the Spitzer index and Troidl score and by treatment-specific symptoms according to Korenaga and others with some modifications. High scores reflect a better QOL. Results: The mean score of the Spitzer index was $8.87\pm1.36$ after a subtotal gastrectomy and $8.80\pm1.23$ after a total gastrectomy. More than $80\%$ of the patients in both groups maintained good quality of life when measured by the Spitzer index. The mean Troidl score was $10.41\pm2.12$ after a subtotal gastrectomy and $9.79\pm2.16$ after a total gastrectomy (p=0.033). Swallowing difficulty was more frequent after a total gastrectomy (p=0.002). There was a statistically significant difference in the meal size (p=0.044). Other variables of the Troidl score revealed no statistically significant differences. Dizziness was significantly more frequent after a total gastrectomy than after a subtotal gastrec tomy (p=0.009). Conclusion: We conclude that in terms of postoperative quality of life, a subtotal gastrectomy has advantages over a total gastrectomy. In those cases where an adequate proximal safety margin can be achieved by a subtotal gastrectomy, that procedure is preferable to a total gastrectomy.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.237-246
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between stigma, distress, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with lung cancer. Methods: The subjects of the study were 123 lung cancer patients who visited the outpatient department of S hospital in Seoul from July 21st to August 29th, 2011. To measure stigma, distress, and QOL, Cataldo Lung Cancer Stigma Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and EORTC QLQ-C30 (Quality of Life Questionnaire, Core 30) were used in this study. The collected data were analyzed using frequency, average, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation with SPSS WIN 19.0. Results: Stigma showed positive correlations with anxiety, depression, and symptom (r=.37, p<.001; r=.44, p<.001; r=.23 p=.012), while it showed negative correlations with global QOL and function (r=-.26, p=.003; r=-.40, p<.001). Anxiety and depression also positively correlated with symptoms (r=.43, p<.001; r=.58, p<.001) while anxiety and depression negatively correlated with global QOL (r=-.40, p<.001; r=-.56, p<.001) and function (r=-.64, p<.001; r=-.66, p<.001). Conclusion: The findings of the study demonstrated that lung cancer patients experienced stigma and distress that had a negative influence on the subjects' QOL. Thus the study's findings can be useful in developing psychosocial nursing strategies to improve QOL of lung cancer patients in the future.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.8-16
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• 2004

Purpose: The porpose of this descriptive study was grasp the QOL (Quality of Life) of cervix cancer patient and to analysis QOL (Quality of Life) by stage of disease, type of treatment and de me graphic characteristics Methods: Data were collected from 67 patients with cervical cancer from 3 General Hospitals from March 15 to June 4 using The "QOL (Quality of Life)-Cancer Version" inventory made by Ferrell et al (1995). The data were analysed by using SPSS $PC^+$ program including t-test, ANOVA, and Scheffe test. Results: Progressing stage of disease and QOL, the significant between the progressing stage of disease and QOL was significant (F=5.06, P=.003). The degree of difference between the progresstion of the stage of the disease and each item in the test was physical well-being (F=3.97 P=.012), the items of psychological well-being (F=3.91, P=.013), the items of social well-being (F=4.96, P=.004). It show a significant difference, but the item of spiritual well-being (F=1.36, P=.262) was not significant difference. The significance between the type of treatment and QOL was insignificant. The degree of difference between each area of life was the psychological well-being (t=-2.14, P=.037), the social well-being (t=-2.15, P=.036). But the physical well-being (t=-.93, P=.356), the spiritual well-being (t=.73, P=.469) was insignificant. Conclusion: As a result, The QOL of patients with cervical cancer is differentiated by the stage of disease, the type of treatment, and the demographic data. Therefore, there is a need to apply nursing intervention to patients with cervical cancer by considering the stage of disease, the type of treatment, and the demographic data.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.652-665
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• 1994

This study was done to investigate the changes in the quality of life(QOL) of patients who received radiation therapy after surgery for breast cancer. For this purpose, 35 patients were interviewed using a questionnaire. They were followed over 8 month period from the beginning of radiation therapy. Changes in the QOL, side effect of the RT(radiation therapy), depression were measured. The results can be summarized as follows : 1. The mean score of the side effect of RT increased significantly over the period of RT. When the RT was completed, the QOL score was the low-est, and the depression score was the highest, but the changes of these scores were not statistically significant. 2. When the 6-week RT was finished, the QOL was significantly correlated with QOL of the beginning of RT, depression at RT completion and age. At three months after the completion of RT, the QOL was significantly correlated with QOL of the beginning of RT, depression and side effect of RT at three months after the completion of RT. At six months after the completion of RT, the QOL was significantly negatively correlated with age. 3. In the stepwise multiple regression analysis, the major influencing variables on the QOL were various according to the time lapse after the RT. The QOL at the completion of RT was predicted by the QOL at the beginning of RT, depression at the completion of RT and age. The QOL at three months after the completion of RT was predicted by the QOL at the beginning of RT and side effect of RT and depression at three months after the completion of RT. The QOL at six months after the completion of RT was predicted by age. This study suggests that continuous nursing care be required for improving the QOL of breast cancer patients not only during the RT period but also for a long term after the completion of RT.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.13
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• pp.5287-5291
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• 2014

Background: The cancer survival rate in Korea has substantially increased, necessitating the management of not only patients with cancer but also longer term survivors. Although the divorce rate has drastically increased in Korea, there is not sufficient research regarding the relationship between changes in marital status and quality of life (QOL) in cancer patients and survivors. Thus, we aimed to examine the relationship between marital status and QOL in such cases. Materials and Methods: This study was performed using the Community Health Survey of 2008 administered by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (N=169,328). We used t-tests and Chi-square tests to compare demographic variables between men and women, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare QOL scores among comparison groups. We also performed a multilevel analysis on the relationship between QOL and marital status while accounting for provincial differences. Results: Decline of EuroQOL five dimensions (EQ-5D) in single patients with cancer was greater than in any other marital status group, but there was no statistically significant decline in survivors of cancer with regard to marital status. In the general population, the decline of EQ-5D was higher among single people than married people. Using the EuroQOL visual analog scale (EQ-VAS), single people had higher values than those of other marital status among both patients with cancer and survivors of cancer. In the general population, EQ-VAS values were higher for single people compared to married people. Conclusions: There may be a significant relationship between marital status and QOL in cancer patients and survivors. Policy interventions to manage patients with cancer who experience a decline in QOL as well as marital problems should be conducted.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.489-502
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• 1997

Quality of life(QOL) and fatigue in cancer patients receiving the radiotherapy was assessed. The subjects were 46 cancer patients who daily attended the radiotherapy department. Assessment was done on four occassions : the first assessment was done on the treatment simulation visit, the second one was four weeks after treatment started, the third one at the completion of treatment and the last assessment was done between six and eight week following treatment. The results are as follows : The fatigue scores of the patients at each stage of assessment ranged from 5.49 points to 7.67 points and highest score was recorded at the third assessment that is, at the completion of treatment. The fatigue points showed an increase from the 1st. to 3rd. stage. However, at the 4th. stage, fatigue points decreased to the level at the first stage of assessment. QOL were assessed in three areas namely, physical, emotional and social /functional. The QOL scores in the physical area showed the highest score, followed by social /functional and emotional areas. The QOL scores decreased gradually to the third. stage of assessment thereafter recovered to the level of the first. stage. Correlation between QOL and fatigue scores during the treatment indicated that the level of QOL decreased as the level of fatigue increased. In particular, fatigue persisted after completion of the treatment and showed a significantly negative correlation with QOL. The present study strongly suggests that a strategy to restore the emotional well being level of the patient should be devised in order to improve QOL and reduce fatigue of patients receiving radiotherapy.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.5-27
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• 2008

Purpose: This study aims to better understand the quality of life (QOL) for Korean breast and gynecological cancer survivors by examining the differences in multi-dimensional QOL outcomes according to stage of cancer survivorship. Methods: To identify the multiple dimensions of health status and psychosocial outcomes, three standardized QOL and psychological distress measures were administered to 110 Korean breast and gynecological cancer survivors. These participants were divided into three groups based on the stage of cancer survivorship. Results: Analyses of covariance revealed that once important confounders were controlled for, QOL outcomes were partially different depending on the stage of cancer survivorship. Results for SF-36 measure showed significant differences between acute and long-term survival stages, indicating that QOL for cancer survivors had gradually improved in the physical domain. However, there were no significant group differences in the psychological domain of SF-36. Additionally, QOL-CS and BSI-18 measures did not show significant QOL differences according to the stage of cancer survivorship. Conclusions: Evidence that, for Korean survivors, QOL outcomes differ according to the stage of cancer survivorship serves as a rationale for developing discriminatory strategies and interventions that take into account survival stage.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.8-15
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• 2008

Purpose: Yangsaeng is a traditional health care regimen that incorporates specific principles and methods to promote health and prevent illness, with the aim of improving the health and longevity of life. The present study assessed Yangsaeng and quality of life (QOL-BREF) in Korea. Methods: Data from 346 adults and elderly Koreans was collected by using a self-reported questionnaire. Analysis of the data included descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, t-test, ANOVA and Cronbach's ${\alpha}$. Results: Statistically significant differences in QOL-BREF were evident according to the age, job, religion, education level, economic status and positive thinking. Statistically significant differences were evident in Yangsaeng according to religion, education, economic status and positive thinking. Total QOL-BREF positively related to total Yangsaeng. Morality Yangsaeng, exercise Yangsaeng and sleep Yangsaeng were positively related to all QOL-BREF sub-domains. Conclusions: The Yangsaeng oriental health care regimen can improve QOL, and should be recommended as a means of health promotion and QOL in the Korean culture.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.65-78
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• 2006

Background : Quality of life(Qol) is a broad concept that incorporates all aspects of an individual's existence. There is many study about Qol of the patient with dermatic disease in the west, but in korea there is few study, particularly for oriental medical academic world. Objective : The purpose of this study is to Investigate the influence of dermatic disease, particularly acne on the Qol by using the korean version of skindex-29. Method : We measured the Qol of Kyungwon university student participating in Dongseo health examination by using the Korean version of Skindex-29. A total of 535 students were enrolled In this study. Results are reported as 3 scales scores (functions, emotions, and symptoms) and a composite score (average scale score). Result : 1) There were no statistically significant gender-related differences in Qol scores in patient group with acne. 2) There were no significant correlation between Age Duration and Qol socres in patient group with acne. 3) Acne group marked higher Qol scores than contact dermatitis and normal group (lower than Acne with atopic dermatitis group) within emotional scales. 4) Acne group marked higher Qol scores than scar, tinea cruris, and normal group (lower than Acne with atopic dermatitis group) within functional and total scales. 5) Acne group marked higher Qol scores than tinea cruris and normal group (lower than Atopic dermatitis group) within symptom scales. 6) In acne group that feel the necessity of medical treatment, group that be treated by occidental medical method marked lower Qol scores than group that don't be treated within functional, symptom, and total scales. 7) In acne group that don't be treated, group that feel the necessity of medical treatment marked higher Qol scores than group that don't feel within emotional, functional, and total scales. 8) Acne group that don't fee the necessity of medical treatment and be treated marked high scores than normal group within all scales. Conclusion : Acne is sometimes thought of as unimportant, but Acne significantly affects patient's Qol. Occidental medical treatment can help Acne patients to improve Qol. Even if someone who suffering from acne feel that he don't need to be treated, he had lower Qol than healthy controls. And we can expect that proper occidental medical treatment help him. But few study have discuss whether oriental medical method can improve Qol of acne patients. From now on we expect interesting study that measure effect of oriental medical therapy on Qol of Acne patients and compare with occidental medical therapy by using Qol mesure instrument.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.84-91
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify relationships between quality of sleep, symptom cluster, depression, environmental disorder, and quality of life among hospitalized cancer patients. Methods: The subjects were 114 patients who underwent chemotherapy for colon cancer, gastric cancer, gynecologic cancer and breast cancer. They were recruited from the cancer center of a university hospital. Data were collected from August 4th to 30th, 2011. The questionnaires included the Korean sleep scale A (quality of sleep), MDASI-K (symptom cluster), the environmental sleep disturbing scale, Zung's depression scale, and the Korean version of EORTC QLQ-C30. The collected data was analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, multiple regression analysis using the SPSS 19.0 program. Results: Functional QOL was negatively associated with symptom QOL (r=-.798, p<.001). Symptom cluster, depression, & spouse (46.3%) were the most powerful predictors for functional QOL (46.3%) and symptom QOL (53.4%). Conclusion: It is evident that oncology nurses need to evaluate two dimensions of quality of life for cancer patients, for example, functional and symptom QOL. We recommend nurses develop specific protocols for relieving physical symptoms and alleviating depression, and furthermore test the effectiveness of them.