Age, sex, and comorbidities were considered in comparing reference data for health-related quality of life in the general and cancer populations.

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to provide reference data for health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in the general Korean population so that the data could be compared with those of cancer patients. Reference data enable more detailed insights into treatments for and care of cancer patients. Study Design and Setting: We constructed a questionnaire that included the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire C30, LC13, STO22, and BR23, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the McGill Quality- of-Life questionnaire and administered a population-based, cross-sectional survey to 1,000 persons. Results: Men reported better functioning and existential well-being, but women reported more physical symptoms, anxiety, and depression. Most scores of functioning and well-being scales decreased and most physical symptoms, anxiety, and depression increased with increasing age. Increasing the number of comorbidities had a negative effect on all functions and most symptom scales. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that age, sex, and comorbidities must always be considered when comparing HRQOL data from the general population with those from cancer patients.