Illness cognitions in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: predicting quality of life outcome

Abstract

Goals of workThis paper presents an observational study of the longitudinal effects of cancer treatment on quality of life (QoL) in patients treated for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and evaluated the contribution of patients' baseline illness cognitions to the prediction of QoL 2 years after diagnosis.Patients and methodsOne hundred seventy-seven patients eligible for primary treatment for HNSCC completed the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised at baseline and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire-30 at baseline, at 1-year and 2-year follow-ups.Main resultsCompared to baseline, patients reported better emotional functioning at both follow-ups (p < 0.001), worse social functioning at 12 months (p < 0.05), and better global health status at 24 months (p < 0.05). Patients' own implicit common sense beliefs about their illness added small but significant amounts of variance to the prediction of QoL after 2 years. Less belief in own behavior causing the illness predicted better functioning and better global health. Strong illness identity beliefs predicted worse functioning and worse global health. Negative perceptions about the duration of the illness (chronic timeline beliefs) and more negative perceived consequences also predicted worse QoL.ConclusionsOur results on the negative perceptions about the duration of the illness, perceived consequences, and high symptom awareness predicting worse QoL illustrate the detrimental effects of uncertainty and negative expectations about the future course of the illness. The identification of these cognitive factors provides possible targets for counseling strategies to assist patients in long-term adjustment to HNSCC.

Assessment of xerostomia and its impact on quality of life in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy

“…Furthermore, all QoL aspects may not improve, at least not to the same extent. In the study of Filho et al, despite some symptom scale deterioration, functional scale scores remained high throughout the 3-month follow-up, without significant changes over time, and the overall QoL did not exhibit any significant changes (17); however, the authors commented on significant symptom variability. Melo Filho et al (18) reported loss of physical, social and emotional function and role performance, while Braam et al (16) observed that, compared to baseline, patients reported better emotional functioning and worse social functioning at 12 months, while a better overall health status was reported at 24 months.…”

Illness perceptions and coping predict post-traumatic stress in caregivers of patients with head and neck cancer

“…It is perhaps not surprising that those caring for patients experiencing more symptoms report greater PTSD, as this is likely to entail greater caring demands and, in turn, greater stress. Perceptions of a strong illness identity have been found to predict worse functioning and worse global health in patients with HNC [29], as well as psychological distress in other patient groups [30,31], which may influence caregiver psychological health. The relationship between perceptions of treatment control and PTSD symptoms is more interesting and suggests that having less belief in the benefits of treatment may have implications for caregiver wellbeing.…”

Prevalence and correlates of symptoms and uncertainty in illness among head and neck cancer patients receiving definitive radiation with or without chemotherapy

“…Treatment affects the patient through side effects, possible disfigurement, and dysfunction that may result in long-term disability [2,3]. The experience also includes uncertainty due to concerns about the ability to manage daily living, concerns about the efficacy of treatment, and worries about recurrence [4,5]. Head and neck cancer patients experience an array of physical symptoms.…”