Quality of Life of Long-Term Survivors after a Distal Subtotal Gastrectomy

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of a distal subtotal gastrectomy on the quality of life (QoL). Materials and Methods The QoL data of 126 patients were obtained on their 5th annual follow-up visit after a curative distal subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer (Group A). The QoL data of 130 age- and gender-adjusted healthy population were obtained from the individuals who visited the health screening center for a medical check-up (Group B). There were 42 women and 84 men in the study group and their mean age was 56.0 +/- 11.1 years. QoL was assessed using the Korean versions of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QoL Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30) and QLQ-STO22. Results The EORTC QLQ-C30 global health status and QoL scores of Group A and Group B were 63.9 +/- 22.7 and 61.3 +/- 22.1, respectively (p = 0.361). Group A revealed a better score for emotional functioning (84.1 +/- 16.1 and 75.2 +/- 21.4, respectively; p < 0.001), cognitive functioning (82.0 +/- 16.4 and 75.0 +/- 21.4, respectively; p = 0.004) and fatigue (27.7 +/- 20.8 and 33.8 +/- 23.2, respectively; p = 0.028). However, Group A revealed a worse score for nausea and vomiting (14.8 +/- 20.0 and 10.2 +/- 16.0, respectively; p = 0.042), financial difficulties (14.8 +/- 22.9 and 7.1 +/- 16.1, respectively; p = 0.002), reflux (16.7 +/- 17.7 and 10.1 +/- 17.0, respectively; p = 0.003), eating restrictions (13.6 +/- 15.2 and 6.6 +/- 10.2, respectively; p < 0.001) and body image (23.3 +/- 25.4 and 16.2 +/- 24.6, respectively; p = 0.023). Conclusion The QoL of long-term survivors after a distal subtotal gastrectomy is still influenced by the surgery itself even though they are considered to be free of disease.