PMID: 15354494Sep 10, 2004Paper

A review of scales for assessment of the quality of life (QOL) in patients with oral cavity cancer

Folia medica
M S Stoikova, J G Maslinkova

Abstract

This article is a review of the quality of life (QOL) research in oral cavity cancer patients. The authors set out to carry out this study because research on the problem is still in its infantile period. Most authors use the following scales for assessment: Scale 1 - ability to eat in public; comprehensible speech; normal diet; change in taste, Scale 2 - social adaptation; pain and disfigurement, Scale 3 - determination of the physical and functional status; psychological status; social functioning, Scale 4 - reproduction/pastimes; sleep/rest; home management; work; eating, Scale 5 - fatigue and QOL. One of the indices most frequently used to measure cancer patients' quality of life is the Karnofsky's scale. The Karnofsky's index is determined by two independent factors: the patient oncologist and the nursing team, who perform evaluations on the basis of the patient's response. The differences between these two methods is not statistically significant. Taking into consideration the proposed scales in the literature the authors have prepared a questionnaire which includes a scale for QOL assessment of oral cavity cancer patients to be used in a future survey on the quality of life of cancer patients in some regions of Bulgaria.

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.