RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN QUALITY-OF-LIFE AND DEPRESSION IN PATIENTS WITH HEAD AND NECK-CANCER

Objective: This study describes the relationship between health-relate d quality of life (HRQOL) and depression in patients following major s urgery for head and neck cancer. Design: Cross-sectional study using m edical chart review patient interview, and test administration, Method Fifty patients were evaluated 6 months to 6 years following surgery u sing one global HRQOL measure (The Functional Assessment of Cancer The rapy-General [FACT-GI); three disease-specific measures of HRQOL (the HN module of the FACT [FACT-HNS], The University of Washington Quality of Life Scale [UWQOL], and The Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancel); and one measure of depression (The Beck Depression Inven tory [BDI]). Results: The study population showed a high occurrence of depressive symptoms (22%). A negative correlation existed between the BDI and HRQOL as measured by the FACT-G (r = -0.49, P <.001) and the UWQOL (r = -0.44, P =.003), When somatic symptoms of depression were r emoved, the EDI remained correlated with HRQOL and was most highly cor related with the Emotional Well-Being (EWB) subscale of the FACT-G (r = -0.42, P =.003). There was no correlation between clinician judgment s of EWB and any patient-rated measures of HRQOL or depression, Conclu sions: Results demonstrate an inverse relationship between patient-rep orted HRQOL and depression. The lack of correlation between physician and patient ratings of HRQOL and EWB stresses the importance of obtain ing patient ratings in addition to traditional clinician ratings when assessing outcomes, Finally, the multidimensional construction of the FACT with its specific subscales may make it a useful clinical tool fo r assessing patient status and augmenting patient interviews.