Original Article

Reliability of the Malayalam FACT-Colorectal and predictors of QOL in patients with colorectal carcinoma

K. Chandramohan, Manoj Pandey, SreeRekha KR, Paul Sebastian and Bejoy C. Thomas
World Journal of Psycho-Social Oncology 2012, 1:4

Abstract

Introduction: Colorectal cancer and its treatment have a profound impact of one’s quality of life. With the increasing prevalence of colorectal cancer in Kerala and given its significant psychosocial morbidity, there is a need for understanding the disease’s impact on the patients’ quality of life.

Patients and Methods: The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy for Colorectal cancer (FACT-C) was translated to local language (Malayalam) followed by a prospective study in 102 colorectal cancer patients. Internal consistency of the FACT-C was tested using Chronbach’s alpha. .

Results: Of the four primary QOL domains the alpha values ranged from 0.82 to 0.92 indicating satisfactory internal consistency within each domain. Nearly 50% of the patients had ostomy appliances. Of these 75% were embarrassed because of it and found it difficult to care for the appliance. Physical well-being was poorer in the patients with prior treatment (t=-3, p=0.009), number of children (t=-2, p=0.05), and being on active treatment (t=-2, p=0.03). Physical well-being was significantly better in patients whose spouse’s were highly educated and permanently employed (t=2, p=0.07; t=-2, p=0.04, respectively). Patient’s in the high income group had significantly better social well-being (t=2, p=0.03).

Conclusions: FACT-C Malayalam was found to have a high internal consistency suggesting that the tool is good for use in colorectal cancer patients. Prior treatment, poor income, more children, and active treatment contributes to poor quality of life in colorectal cancer patients.

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