The impact of psychotherapeutic support on quality of life in patients with gastrointestinal cancer

Aims In order to analyze the impact of psychotherapeutic support on survival and quality of life in patients undergoing surgery for gastrointestional cancer, a randomized controlled trial was conducted. Survival analysis showed a significant benefit for patients receiving psycho-therapeutic support (Kuechler et al. 2007). The aim of this current study was to explore the impact on the patient's quality of life. Methods A total of 271 patients were randomized in two groups: patients receiving psychosocial support during the hospital stay (N=136) and control group (N=135). The sample consisted of patients with a preliminary diagnosis of cancer of the esophagus, stomach, liver/gallbladder, pancreas, or colon/rectum. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 plus a disease-specific module. Mapping onto the EQ5D was performed according to McKenzie et al. (2009). The questionnaires were administered at baseline and at discharge as well as at the 3-, 6-, 12- and 24 months follow-up. Survival was followed up to 10 years after treatment. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and t-tests for independent samples. A global p-value of p< .05 was considered statistically significant, whereas a mean difference of 10 points and more on the EORTC scales was considered clinically significant/relevant.