Quality of Life in Colorectal Cancer Patients according to the Severity of Symptom Clusters Classification

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study to verify the symptom clusters of colorectal cancer patients and also identify the influence of the symptom clusters upon colorectal patient symptom clusters identify acording exper. METHODS: 101 colorectal cancer patients were the subjects of this study. As for a research tool, the global health status/QOL was used including the sub-scales of QLQ-C30. In the functional scales and the symptom scales, the sub-scales of QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR29 were used. Results: The result of this study shows us there are 7 kinds of symptom clusters. RESULTS: The result of this study shows us there are 7 kinds of symptom clusters, bowel movement problems, abdominal-pelvic problems, feces problems, urination problems, dry mouth-taste problems, side effect problems, and elimination problems. CONCLUSION: Based on the result, the symptom clusters in colorectal cancer patients were confirmed to be influencing the subjects' quality of life and functions. The efficient management of symptom clusters that subjects experience leads to promoting colorectal cancer patients' physical and emotional status, thereby contributing to an improvement in their quality of life.