The aim of this study was to analyze the quality of life of patients with advanced rectal cancer before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine whether the pandemic affected patients’ quality of life. The study included 389 patients and was performed from May 2010 to June 2021. The fifteen months from March 2020 to June 2021 were categorized as the COVID-19 period. Patients were surveyed using the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR38 questionnaires. The questionnaires were used at different phases of radiochemotherapy: prior to RCT (day 1), during RCT (day 14), at the end of RCT (day 35), and prior to mesorectal surgery (day 70). Scores were formed from the questions. In addition, scores were analyzed for different age groups (<64 and >64) and sexes (female and male). Overall, patients reported lower functional scores and higher symptom scores during the pandemic than before the pandemic. Although it had been expected that older and younger patients would differ clearly, there were only minor differences. The comparison between the two sexes showed very different scores, with female patients having lower functional scores and higher symptom scores than male patients before and especially during COVID-19. In conclusion, age does not play a major role in quality of life, but sex does play an important role in perception of functioning and symptoms. COVID-19 also had a major impact on patients’ lives, as it was a very isolating and stressful time for everyone, especially cancer patients, which was reflected in worsening scores.
Keywords: COVID-19; pandemic; quality of life; radiochemotherapy; rectal cancer; sex.