Predictors of quality of life in head and neck cancer survivors up to 5 years after end of treatment: a cross-sectional survey

Purpose This study aimed to assess quality of life (QoL) in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors and determine factors predic- tive of poor QoL in the first 5 years after the end of treatment. Methods A cross-sectional survey, including the Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors (QLACS) measure, was sent to HNC survivors in three Scottish health regions, with re- sponses linked to routinely collected clinical data. Indepen- dent sample t tests, ANOVAs, Pearson correlations and mul- tiple hierarchical regressions were used to explore associa- tions between and to determine the contribution made by de- mographic, lifestyle and clinical factors to predicting ‘generic’ and ‘cancer-specific’ quality of life. Results Two hundred eighty patients (65 %) returned ques- tionnaires. After adjustment, multivariate analysis showed that younger age, lower socio-economic status, unemployment and self-reported comorbidity independently contributed to poorer generic and cancer-specific quality of life. In addition to these factors, having had a feeding tube or a diagnosis of oral cavity cancer were independently predictive of poorer cancer-specific quality of life. Conclusions Socio-economic factors and comorbidity are im- portant predictors of QoL in HNC survivors. These factors and the detrimental long-term effects of feeding tubes need further attention in research and practice