Quality of Life after Rectal Cancer Surgery With or Without Sphincter Presevation at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2025-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Quality of life (QoL) after rectal cancer surgery, with or without sphincter preservation, profoundly impacts patient well-being. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a global health concern, ranking as the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide and a significant cancer in Ethiopia. Specific Quality of Life data post-surgery is scarce in the study areas, making this the first multicenter investigation in Ethiopia comparing Quality of Life outcomes following rectal cancer surgeries with or without sphincter preservation.
Objective: To assess Quality of life after rectal cancer surgery with or without sphincter preservation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2025.
Methods: This facilities-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from November 01, 2024, to March 30, 2025, at Black Lion, Lancet, and Lancet Beherawi private hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. All 80 eligible colorectal cancer patients who underwent surgery between September 01, 2021, and September 01, 2024, were purposively sampled. Data on demographics, clinical presentation, and procedure type were collected via record review. Quality of Life was assessed using version 3 of the EORTC QLQ-C30 through structured phone interviews in validated local languages. Data was analyzed using Stata V.17, employing descriptive, bi-variable, and multivariable logistic regression.
Results: Overall, 82.5% of patients reported good quality of life, while 17.5% reported poor Quality of Life. Patients undergoing Low Anterior Resection (LAR) showed a higher proportion of good Quality of Life (72.7%), whereas 87.7% of Abdominoperineal Resection (APR) patients experienced poor Quality of Life. Factors significantly associated with Quality of Life were patient sex and type of surgery. Male patients were nearly six times more likely to report good Quality of Life than females (AOR = 5.98, P = 0.03). Low Anterior Resection (LAR) patients were 12.3 times more likely to experience better Quality of Life than APR patients (AOR = 12.3, P = 0.003).
Conclusion and Recommendations: The study concludes good Quality of Life post-rectal cancer surgery, with Low Anterior Resection (LAR) and male patients significantly contributing to better Quality of Life. Recommendations include providing comprehensive information to patients on surgical Quality of Life impacts for informed decision-making.
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Rectal cancer surgery