Determination of Quality of Life and Self-Care Agency in Patients Who Underwent Colorectal Cancer Surgery: A Prospective Descriptive Study

BACKGROUND: Knowledge about the relationship between quality of life and self-care among patients with colorectal cancer in Turkey is limited. PURPOSE: This prospective, descriptive study evaluated the quality of life and self-care agency of patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer. METHODS: Patients were recruited to participate preoperatively from the general surgery clinics in 2 hospitals in Turkey. Sociodemographic variables were collected preoperatively, and the Quality of Life Scale for Cancer Patients (EORTC QLQ-C30) Turkish Version 3.0, the Quality of Life Scale for Colorectal Cancer Patients (EORTC QLQ-CR29), and the Self-Care Agency Scale were completed preoperatively and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Thirty-seven (37) patients (average age 59.49 years [+/- 10.84]) who met the inclusion criteria participated in the study. The majority were male (22 patients; 60%), and 25 (67%) did not have a stoma postoperatively. Compared with preoperative scores, QLQ-C30 general well-being, functional status, physical functions, and role performance scores decreased in the first month after surgery and increased in the third and sixth months (58.3 [preoperative] vs 75.0 [month 3] vs 83.3 [month 6]; P = .000). The preoperative QLQ-CR29 excretory system pleasure scores were higher than the postoperative third- and sixth-month scores (1.7 [preoperative] vs 1.0 [month 3] vs 1.0 [month 6]; P = .001). The Self-Care Agency scores at 6 months were higher than the postoperative first month (109.62 +/- 11.62 vs 115.19 +/- 14.22; P = .006). A positive correlation was found between Self-Care Agency scores and functional status scores of the QLQ-C30 scale at 3 and 6 months postoperatively (P = .000). CONCLUSION: Quality of life and Self-Care Agency scores decreased immediately after surgery but increased in the following 6 months. A positive correlation was found between quality of life and self-care agency.