Dynamics of quality of life main parameters in patients with spine tumors underwent surgical treatment

Abstract

In this study we analyzed the quality of life in 62 patients (35.5 % of men and 64.5 % of women; mean age 55 years) who had tumor lesions in different parts of the spine and were treated in the Department of Vertebral Surgery, N.N. Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center, Ministry of Health of Russia. We assessed the association between the quality of life and psychological characteristics of patients – coping strategies and personal resources. We used a general questionnaire for assessing patients’ quality of life (The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 Items Health Survey) and special questionnaires for cancer patients (Quality of Life Questionnaire – Core 30, QLQ-C30), patients with tumor lesions to the spine (Spine Oncology Study Group Outcomes Questionnaire, SOSG OQ), and psychodiagnostic methods, such as Ways of Coping, Big Five, and Life-meaning Orientations. We have identified an association between the quality of life and all parameters of psychodiagnostic questionnaires, better quality of life correlated with more pronounced psychological characteristics reflecting the maturity of the individual (internality, activity, presence of meaningful goals, ability to seek social support, etc.). Lower personal maturity and poorer constructive coping strategies were associated with worse somatic symptoms and their impact on the quality of life.