Temperament and character and quality of life in lung cancer patients

Abstract

Aim The aim of this study was to test whether personality variables are independently associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in lung cancer patients. Methods In a cross-sectional study, 86 non-small cell lung cancer patients and 73 healthy subjects matched for gender and age were assessed with the Temperament and Character Inventory. In the patient group QOL was assessed with EORTC QLQ-C30. We used multiple linear regressions to determine whether personality dimensions predict HRQOL. Data on tumor stage, patient age, education and marital status were also collected. Results Lung cancer patients differed from healthy controls in the temperament dimension of persistence and the character dimension of self-transcendence. The temperament dimension of harm avoidance and the character dimension of cooperativeness were significant predictors of QOL functional scales and global health status. Conclusions In lung cancer patients, the personality dimensions of harm avoidance and cooperativeness showed associations with most QOL dimensions. Personality factors are relevant for patients' QOL perception and should be included in cancer patients' QOL assessment.