Quality of life of Chinese patients newly diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer: a longitudinal study

Cancer of the gastrointestinal (GIT) tract is a major health problem in China. The aims of the study were to investigate quality of life of Chinese patients newly diagnosed with gastrointestinal (GIT) cancer, identify factors predicting quality of life, and to examine the pattern of stability and change in symptoms, psychosocial measures and quality of life over a 6 months period. A convenience sample of 146 newly diagnosed GIT cancer patients recruited from three major hospitals in Shanghai completed a self-report questionnaire initially and 6 months later. Results indicated that Chinese patients newly diagnosed with GIT cancer experience a range of symptoms associated with cancer and its treatment that resulted in varying degrees of symptom distress, anxiety and depression, and decreased quality of life. Findings from this research give insights into the importance of ongoing quality of life assessment, symptom management, and intervention to improve quality of life of Chinese cancer patients. It also raised questions about measures of quality of life that are culturally relevant.