Postoperative quality of life trajectories and associated factors in patients with tongue cancer:a longitudinal study
Chen Qiujun
Liu Jing
Cai Bingxing
Li Baolan
Qu Xiaohui
Lu Xiaohui
Zhao Andong
Abstract：Objective To investigate and analyze the postoperative quality of life(QoL)at different early stages in patients with tongue cancer and to identify related factors,thereby providing references for stage-specific intervention strategies.Methods Seventy-three patients who underwent surgery for tongue cancer in the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery at a grade A tertia-ry hospital in Chongqing between August 2022 and February 2024 were enrolled.QoL was assessed at 1,3,and 6 months postoperatively using the Chinese version of the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire,version 4(UW-QOL4).QoL at the three time points was compared,and univariate analyses were used to screen for major factors associated with QoL at each stage.Results The median UW-QOL4 total scores at 1,3,and 6 months postoperatively were 785.0(655.0,885.0),875.0(782.5,992.5),and 935.0(790.0,1,060.0),respectively.There were statistically significant differences in total and item scores among the three time points(P＜0.05).Pairwise comparisons showed that total scores differed signifi-cantly between each time point(P＜0.05),and compared with 1 month postoperatively,item scores(except taste)at 3 and 6 months postoperatively were significantly higher(P＜0.05).Univariate analysis at 1 month postoperatively revealed signifi-cant between-group differences in QoL according to age,T stage,N stage,extent of glossectomy,and cervical lymph node dis-section method(P＜0.05).At 3 months,age,tumor site,T stage,N stage,glossectomy extent,lymph node dissection method,and receipt of adjuvant radiotherapy were significant influencing factors(P＜0.05).At 6 months,tumor site,T stage,N stage,glossectomy extent,lymph node dissection method,and adjuvant radiotherapy remained significant influencing factors(P＜0.05).Conclusion Within the first 6 months after surgery,patients with tongue cancer exhibit moderate overall QoL,which-and its influencing factors-changes dynamically over time.Clinicians and nurses should tailor interventions to the main factors influencing QoL at each postoperative stage to increase QoL among these patients.
Keywords：Tongue cancerPostoperative quality of lifeInfluencing factorsLongitudinal study
Publication Date：2025-05-20
Online Publishing Date：2025-09-04(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：7( 1-7 )