Kyoungwon Choi

Factors affecting quality of life of older adults with cancer in Korea

The main objective of the present study was to examine the quality of life of older adults with cancer and investigate factors associated with it. Some practical problems experienced by older adults with cancer are introduced, such as changes in work situation, availability of caregivers and financial difficulties relative to medical expenditures.

Quality of life of older adults with cancer in Korea

ABSTRACT This study examines the quality of life (QoL) of older adults with cancer (N = 176), by comparing them with age- and gender-matched groups without cancer (N = 176), and investigates factors associated with their QoL. The results of Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36 (MOS SF-36) showed that the study group had significantly lower scores than the noncancer group on all eight scales and on the Physical Component Summary and the Mental Component Summary. Comparison with gender and age groups revealed some differences. Optimism and social support were positively related to QoL while comorbidity, cancer-related concerns, and financial worries were inversely related.

Depression of Older Adults With Cancer in Korea

The study examines the depression of older adults with the level of depressive symptoms in Korean older adults (N = 319) who have cancer and are currently receiving treatment. Level of depressive symptoms was measured using the Korean version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (K-CES-D). Other factors under consideration were socio-demographic variables (gender, age, education, living with spouse, and perceived economic status), cancer/treatment variables (cancer stage at diagnosis, number of treatment, recurrence, and level of functional capability), internal resources (optimism and cancer-related health worries), and external resources (perceived support from family, friends, and medical professionals, other life stressors, and financial burden on medical costs). Data were analyzed using a hierarchical regression model with these variables entered as predictors and level of depressive symptoms as the dependent variable. The results showed a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms among patients with lower economic status, lower functional capabilities, less optimism, more cancer-related health worries, and less family supports. The findings suggest that efforts to enhance optimism and family support, and reduce cancer-related health worries should be emphasized in interventions for older adults with cancer.