BACKGROUND: More refined information on sources of symptom-induced distress in a patient population can improve the quality of pretreatment information, make follow-up visits more efficient and guide research priorities in the efforts to modify treatments. METHODS: In a population-based epidemiological study covering all of Sweden, data were collected 1996-97 by means of an anonymous postal questionnaire. We attempted to enroll all 332 patients with stage IB-IIA cervical cancer registered in 1991-92 at the seven departments of gynecological oncology in Sweden. RESULTS: A total of 256 cases (77%) completed the questionnaire. After surgery, alone or in combination with intracavitary radiotherapy, several symptoms related to sexual dysfunction are the primary sources of symptom-induced distress (reduced orgasm frequency: much distress 23% (surgery alone) and 23% (intracavitary radiotherapy and surgery), respectively, overall intercourse dysfunction: much distress 17% and 20%, respectively, followed by lymphedema (much distress 14% and 14%, respectively). Dyspareunia (much distress 24%) and defecation urgency (much distress 22%) are two leading causes of distress after surgery and external radiotherapy. After treatment with radiotherapy alone, loose stool and dyspareunia were the two most distressful symptoms (much distress 19% each). When a symptom occurs, fecal leakage and reduced orgasm frequency are the two most distressful ones (measured as much distress, 38% each). CONCLUSIONS: The observed symptoms are distressful and should, if one focuses on patient satisfaction, be given priority.
BACKGROUND: More refined information on sources of symptom-induced distress in a patient population can improve the quality of pretreatment information, make follow-up visits more efficient and guide research priorities in the efforts to modify treatments. METHODS: In a population-based epidemiological study covering all of Sweden, data were collected 1996-97 by means of an anonymous postal questionnaire. We attempted to enroll all 332 patients with stage IB-IIA cervical cancer registered in 1991-92 at the seven departments of gynecological oncology in Sweden. RESULTS: A total of 256 cases (77%) completed the questionnaire. After surgery, alone or in combination with intracavitary radiotherapy, several symptoms related to sexual dysfunction are the primary sources of symptom-induced distress (reduced orgasm frequency: much distress 23% (surgery alone) and 23% (intracavitary radiotherapy and surgery), respectively, overall intercourse dysfunction: much distress 17% and 20%, respectively, followed by lymphedema (much distress 14% and 14%, respectively). Dyspareunia (much distress 24%) and defecation urgency (much distress 22%) are two leading causes of distress after surgery and external radiotherapy. After treatment with radiotherapy alone, loose stool and dyspareunia were the two most distressful symptoms (much distress 19% each). When a symptom occurs, fecal leakage and reduced orgasm frequency are the two most distressful ones (measured as much distress, 38% each). CONCLUSIONS: The observed symptoms are distressful and should, if one focuses on patient satisfaction, be given priority.
Authors: Lori A Brotto; Yvonne Erskine; Mark Carey; Tom Ehlen; Sarah Finlayson; Mark Heywood; Janice Kwon; Jessica McAlpine; Gavin Stuart; Sydney Thomson; Dianne Miller Journal: Gynecol Oncol Date: 2012-01-28 Impact factor: 5.482
Authors: Anna O Levin; Kristen M Carpenter; Jeffrey M Fowler; Brittany M Brothers; Barbara L Andersen; G Larry Maxwell Journal: Int J Gynecol Cancer Date: 2010-04 Impact factor: 3.437
Authors: Monina G Bartoces; Richard K Severson; Barbara Ann Rusin; Kendra L Schwartz; Julie Joanne Ruterbusch; Anne Victoria Neale Journal: J Womens Health (Larchmt) Date: 2009-05 Impact factor: 2.681
Authors: Willemijn M Vermeer; Rinske M Bakker; Anne M Stiggelbout; Carien L Creutzberg; Gemma G Kenter; Moniek M ter Kuile Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2014-09-14 Impact factor: 3.603