Quality of life in the long-term survivors after total gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma

Background and Objectives: Several studies report the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after total gastrectomy in short term but long-term results have been less published. Methods: One hundred and seventy two patients underwent total gastrectomy between years 1987-1999 for gastric carcinoma. In 2005, 30% of them were still alive. The final study population consisted of 25 patients less than 80 years of age, for whom validated control population data were available. The SF-36 and 15D questionnaires were used as QoL instruments. The median follow-up time from surgery was 9. Results: The study group did not differ significantly in any of the SF-36 sub scores from the normal population controls. There was no significant difference in the total score in 15D but the patients did statistically significantly worse than the normal population controls in sleeping, elimination and distress. There was significant weight loss during the follow up, but this was not associated with any of HRQoL changes. Conclusions: This study shows that patients who survived for long-term after total gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma do generally as well as the normal population controls, but depending on the QoL instrument used, may have lower QoL in some sub dimensions.