Journal article
Health‐related quality of life in head and neck cancer survivors: Evaluating the rural disadvantage
The Journal of rural health, Vol.38(1), pp.54-62
2022
DOI: 10.1111/jrh.12571
PMCID: PMC8477149
PMID: 33720456
Abstract
Purpose
Head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors often experience distress and health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) impairment. Research suggests that rural cancer patients may have poorer outcomes than urban patients. This study examined whether HNC patient emotional and HRQOL outcomes differ in those living in a rural versus urban location at 6 and 12 months postdiagnosis.
Methods
A total of 261 HNC patients were included from a longitudinal study of HNC outcomes. The majority were diagnosed with advanced stage cancer (51.3%); the most common cancer site was oral cavity (41.0%). Rurality was measured using the US Department of Agriculture Rural Urban Commuting Area codes. Depression was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), general HRQOL using the Short Form‐36 (SF‐36), and HNC‐specific HRQOL using the Head and Neck Cancer Inventory (HNCI). Analyses were 2 (group) × 3 (assessment) repeated measures ANCOVAs, controlling for demographic and clinical characteristics.
Findings
Approximately 45% of the sample lived in a rural location. Follow‐up comparisons of significant overall models indicated that rural patients reported significantly more nonsomatic depression symptoms at 6‐month follow‐up. Rural patients were also more likely to report significantly poorer general mental HRQOL at 12‐month follow‐up, significantly poorer HNC‐specific HRQOL related to eating at 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up, and marginally worse aesthetics at 12‐month follow‐up.
Conclusions
These findings are consistent with suggestions that rural HNC patients may be at heightened risk for depression symptoms and decrements in HRQOL. Patients should be screened and regularly monitored for issues with depression and HNC‐specific HRQOL throughout the survivorship period.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Health‐related quality of life in head and neck cancer survivors: Evaluating the rural disadvantage
- Creators
- Jenna L. Adamowicz - University of IowaAlan Christensen - Iowa City VA Health Care SystemM. Bryant Howren - Iowa City VA Health Care SystemAaron T. Seaman - Iowa City VA Health Care SystemNicholas D. Kendell - Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of MedicineShylo Wardyn - Iowa City VA Health Care SystemNitin A. Pagedar - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The Journal of rural health, Vol.38(1), pp.54-62
- DOI
- 10.1111/jrh.12571
- PMID
- 33720456
- PMCID
- PMC8477149
- NLM abbreviation
- J Rural Health
- ISSN
- 0890-765X
- eISSN
- 1748-0361
- Number of pages
- 9
- Grant note
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (#KL2TR002536) National Cancer Institute and University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center (#P30 CA086862) VA Office of Rural Health, Veterans Rural Health Resource Center ‐ Iowa City (VRHRC‐IC), Iowa City VA Health Care System (#14381)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2022
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences; Center for Social Science Innovation; General Internal Medicine; Community and Behavioral Health; Otolaryngology; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984312247102771
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