Relationship of weight loss to quality of life and symptom distress among postsurgical survivors of oesophageal cancer who received chemotherapy

Abstract

Purpose: Weight loss is highly prevalent in oesophageal cancer survivors, who often experience disease-related or treatment-related symptoms and quality of life (QoL) impairment. This study aimed to explore the relationships among weight loss, symptom distress, and QoL postoperatively in patients with oesophageal cancer undergoing chemotherapy and to identify the factors influencing the QoL.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study with 101 patients and collected data on weight loss (percentage of total body mass loss), QoL (EORTC-QLQ-C30 and EORTC-QLQ-OES-18), and symptom distress (MDASI-GI-C). The associations among weight loss, QoL, and symptom distress were assessed using Pearson's correlation. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify independent factors influencing patients' QoL scores.

Results: The distribution of weight loss of each stage in survivors of oesophageal cancer was 1.00% (SD: 2.48%), 4.69% (SD: 4.73%), 1.66% (SD: 5.37%), 2.83% (SD: 4.89%) respectively. The mean QoL score was 66.24 (SD 18.65). The participants' mean symptom severity and symptom interference scores were 3.30 (SD 1.74) and 2.76 (SD 1.90), respectively. Weight loss and symptom distress were negatively related to patients' QoL (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively). Weight loss between 6 months before diagnosis and the time of diagnosis (p < 0.05) and symptom interference (p < 0.01) were independent predictors for the QoL.

Conclusions: This study suggests that oesophageal cancer survivors with larger weight reduction between 6 months before diagnosis and the time of diagnosis and more symptom distress have a worse QoL. Clinicians should focus more on patients' weight and symptom management to improve their QoL.

Keywords: Oesophageal cancer; Quality of life; Symptom distress; Weight loss.