UCSF

Purpose/objectives

To evaluate gender differences in quality of life (QOL), demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics.


Design

Prospective, observational.


Setting

Two radiation oncology departments in northern California.


Sample

185 patients before initiation of radiation therapy (RT).


Methods

At their RT simulation visit, patients completed a demographic questionnaire, a measure of QOL, and symptom-specific scales. Backward elimination regression analyses were conducted to determine the significant predictors of QOL
.

Main research variables

QOL, gender, and 20 potential predictors
.

Findings

In women, depressive symptoms, functional status, age, and having children at home explained 64% of the variance in QOL. In men, depressive symptoms, state anxiety, number of comorbidities, being a member of a racial or ethnic minority, and age explained 70% of the variance in QOL
.

Conclusions

Predictors of QOL differed by gender. Depressive symptom score was the greatest contributor to QOL in both genders.
.

Implications for nursing

Nurses need to assess for QOL and depression at the initiation of RT. Knowledge of the different predictors of QOL may be useful in the design of gender-specific interventions to improve QOL.