PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES: To describe health-related quality of life (QOL), health status, and marital satisfaction of couples as many as 5.5 years after treatment for prostate cancer. DESIGN: Survey with longitudinal, comparative, and predictive elements. SETTING: A tertiary care nonprofit medical center in the southwestern United States. SAMPLE: Convenience sample of prostate cancer survivors (192 enrolled, 137 completed) and their partners (126 enrolled, 104 completed). Men averaged 70 years of age, women 66. Most men (86%) and women (89%) were white, and 71% had at least some college education. METHODS: Questionnaires were mailed annually. Women were enrolled 3.5 years after their partners were treated. Study participants received separate questionnaire packets. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Health-related QOL, health status including post-treatment symptoms, and marital satisfaction. FINDINGS: Men's health-related QOL, general physical health, and vitality decreased; urinary and sexual post-treatment symptoms increased. Men were concerned about their sexual functioning although few sought treatment. Couples' health-related QOL and marital satisfaction were associated more closely than their health status. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of type of treatment, health-related QOL and general health tend to decrease for prostate cancer survivors; men in watchful waiting tended to have poorer health outcomes. Men are concerned about sexual functioning, yet few are taking steps to remedy problems. Couples' health-related QOL and marital satisfaction are linked; however, health status indicators are less associated. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Nurses are in a key position to assess health-related QOL and sexual functioning concerns for prostate cancer survivors and their partners.
PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES: To describe health-related quality of life (QOL), health status, and marital satisfaction of couples as many as 5.5 years after treatment for prostate cancer. DESIGN: Survey with longitudinal, comparative, and predictive elements. SETTING: A tertiary care nonprofit medical center in the southwestern United States. SAMPLE: Convenience sample of prostate cancer survivors (192 enrolled, 137 completed) and their partners (126 enrolled, 104 completed). Men averaged 70 years of age, women 66. Most men (86%) and women (89%) were white, and 71% had at least some college education. METHODS: Questionnaires were mailed annually. Women were enrolled 3.5 years after their partners were treated. Study participants received separate questionnaire packets. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Health-related QOL, health status including post-treatment symptoms, and marital satisfaction. FINDINGS:Men's health-related QOL, general physical health, and vitality decreased; urinary and sexual post-treatment symptoms increased. Men were concerned about their sexual functioning although few sought treatment. Couples' health-related QOL and marital satisfaction were associated more closely than their health status. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of type of treatment, health-related QOL and general health tend to decrease for prostate cancer survivors; men in watchful waiting tended to have poorer health outcomes. Men are concerned about sexual functioning, yet few are taking steps to remedy problems. Couples' health-related QOL and marital satisfaction are linked; however, health status indicators are less associated. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Nurses are in a key position to assess health-related QOL and sexual functioning concerns for prostate cancer survivors and their partners.
Authors: Erin L Merz; Vanessa L Malcarne; Celine M Ko; Melody Sadler; Lisa Kwack; James W Varni; Georgia Robins Sadler Journal: Psychol Health Date: 2011-07-11
Authors: Brian M Rivers; Euna M August; Gwendolyn P Quinn; Clement K Gwede; Julio M Pow-Sang; B Lee Green; Paul B Jacobsen Journal: J Cancer Educ Date: 2012-06 Impact factor: 2.037