Kuan-Yin Lin1,2,3, Linda Denehy1,4, Helena C Frawley3,5, Lisa Wilson6, Catherine L Granger1,2,4. 1. a Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences , University of Melbourne , Melbourne , Australia. 2. b Department of Physiotherapy , Royal Melbourne Hospital , Melbourne , Australia. 3. c Centre for Allied Health Research and Education, Cabrini Health , Melbourne , Australia. 4. e Institute for Breathing and Sleep , Melbourne , Victoria , Australia. 5. d Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health , La Trobe University , Melbourne , Australia. 6. f Department of General Surgery , The Royal Melbourne Hospital , Melbourne , Victoria , Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Little has been published regarding general and pelvic floor-related health status in patients who have undergone surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC). OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assess changes in pelvic floor symptoms, physical activity levels, psychological status, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with CRC from pre- to 6 months postoperatively. METHODS: Pelvic floor symptoms, physical activity levels, anxiety and depression, and HRQoL of 30 participants who were undergoing surgery for stages I-III CRC were evaluated pre- and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Six months postoperatively, there were no significant changes in severity of pelvic floor symptoms, or other secondary outcomes (physical activity levels, depression, global HRQoL) compared to preoperative levels (p > 0.05). However, fecal incontinence (p = 0.03) and hair loss (p = 0.003) measured with the HRQoL instrument were significantly worse. Participants were engaged in low levels of physical activity before (42.3%) and after surgery (47.4%). CONCLUSION: The findings of a high percentage of participants with persistent low physical activity levels and worse bowel symptoms after CRC surgery compared to preoperative levels suggest the need for health-care professionals to provide information about the benefits of physical activity and bowel management at postoperative follow-ups. Further investigation in larger studies is warranted.
BACKGROUND: Little has been published regarding general and pelvic floor-related health status in patients who have undergone surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC). OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assess changes in pelvic floor symptoms, physical activity levels, psychological status, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with CRC from pre- to 6 months postoperatively. METHODS: Pelvic floor symptoms, physical activity levels, anxiety and depression, and HRQoL of 30 participants who were undergoing surgery for stages I-III CRC were evaluated pre- and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Six months postoperatively, there were no significant changes in severity of pelvic floor symptoms, or other secondary outcomes (physical activity levels, depression, global HRQoL) compared to preoperative levels (p > 0.05). However, fecal incontinence (p = 0.03) and hair loss (p = 0.003) measured with the HRQoL instrument were significantly worse. Participants were engaged in low levels of physical activity before (42.3%) and after surgery (47.4%). CONCLUSION: The findings of a high percentage of participants with persistent low physical activity levels and worse bowel symptoms after CRC surgery compared to preoperative levels suggest the need for health-care professionals to provide information about the benefits of physical activity and bowel management at postoperative follow-ups. Further investigation in larger studies is warranted.
Entities:
Keywords:
Colorectal neoplasms; pelvic floor; physical activity; quality of life; surgery