Changes of quality of life after gastric tube reconstruction in adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction

Objective: To investigate changes of quality of life (QOL) of patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) after gastric tube anastomosis.

Methods: From January 2009 to December 2011, eighty-seven patients with Types II and III AEG were selected for gastric tube reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy. The QOL of the patients was assessed using the Chinese versions of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and the EORTC QLQ-STO22 preoperatively, as well as one and two years postoperatively.

Results: The QLQ-C30 showed that the global health of the respondents decreased at one year after the surgery (P=0.02). The preoperative score for physical function was significantly better than the one- and two-year post-operation scores. The preoperative scores for pain, nausea and vomiting, and economic difficulties were worse than the one- and two-year post-operation scores (P < 0.05). Diarrhea was worse at one year post-operation than during pre-operation (P = 0.00), but improved at two years after the operation. The QLQ-STO22 scales showed that the preoperative dysphagia score was better than one-year post-operation, and no significant differences were observed in terms of dysphagia between the pre-operation and two-year postoperative periods. Preoperative reflux and taste scores were better than those after the operation (P < 0.05). The hair loss score at one-year post-operation was worse than at either pre-operation or two-year post-operation.

Conclusions: Most QOL scales worsened after surgery, particularly at postoperative year one. However, the scales can be gradually recovered to preoperative levels. The physical function, nausea and vomiting, reflux, taste, and financial difficulties did not fully recover two years after the operation.