Health Issues in Ovarian Cancer Survivors
Author Information
Author(s): Liavaag Astrid Helene, Dørum Anne, Fosså Sophie D, Tropé Claes, Dahl Alv A
Primary Institution: The Norwegian Radium Hospital
Hypothesis
What is the relationship between self-rated health and morbidity in epithelial ovarian cancer survivors?
Conclusion
Self-rated health is closely linked to common physical complaints and fatigue, rather than cancer-related factors.
Supporting Evidence
- EOC survivors with poor self-rated health reported more somatic symptoms and mental distress.
- The study found that self-rated health scores did not significantly differ from age-matched controls.
- Somatic complaints explained a significant portion of the variance in self-rated health scores.
Takeaway
Women who survived ovarian cancer often feel tired and have other health problems, and asking them how they feel can help doctors understand their needs better.
Methodology
The study used a cross-sectional design with a mailed questionnaire to assess health and symptoms in ovarian cancer survivors.
Potential Biases
Self-reported health data may be influenced by response shift, where patients' perceptions of their health change over time.
Limitations
The study included patients treated over a long period, which may affect the relevance of findings due to changes in treatment protocols.
Participant Demographics
Participants were women aged 20-70 years, treated for epithelial ovarian cancer, with a median age at diagnosis of 52 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 41–57%
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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