OBJECTIVES: In 2020, colorectal cancer (CRC) accounts for 10% of global cancer incidence and 9.4% of cancer deaths. The global number of new CRC cases is predicted to reach 3.2 million in 2040, based on the projection of aging, population growth, and human development. This study aims to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) of patients with CRC in Iran using standard questionnaires.

METHODS: A descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional survey was conducted in hospitals affiliated with Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences from 2019-to 2020 in Tehran, Iran. The quality of life, demographic characteristics, and utility of colorectal cancer patients were measured using EQ5D-3L-VAS, QLQCR29, and QLQC30 questionnaires. Mapping was used to calculate utility based on the EQ5D questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, t-test, χ2-test, correlation analysis, and variance analysis were computed with SPSS software (p≤0.05).

RESULTS: A total of 60 patients with colorectal cancer, 30 in the stable state and 30 in the progressive state of the disease, were included in this study. The mean utility scores for VAS and EQ5D-3L were 0.7± 0.2 and 0.8± 0.1 in the stable group and 0.4± 0.1 and 0.4± 0.2 in the progressive one, suggesting a significant difference between the two groups (P <0.001). The patients' mean QOL scores for QLQCR29 and QLQC30 questionnaires were 48/12± 9/1 and 38/9± 9/7 out of 100, respectively. Having ostomy, rectal cancer, higher stages of cancer, and metastasis was also significantly associated with a decreased quality of life (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The quality of life in patients with stable colorectal cancer is not highly affected by their disease; however, the disease progression significantly reduces the QOL. So, access to better treatment is crucial for patients with CRC to gain better QOL.