Journal of Patient Experience (Nov 2021)

Trajectories of Health-Related Quality of Life, Health Literacy, and Self-Efficacy in Curatively-Treated Patients with Esophageal Cancer: A Longitudinal Single-Center Study in Italy

  • Arianna Magon RN, MSN, PhD,
  • Rosario Caruso PhD,
  • Andrea Sironi MD,
  • Sabrina Mirabella RN, MSN,
  • Federica Dellafiore PhD, RN,
  • Cristina Arrigoni RN, MSc,
  • Luigi Bonavina MD, FACS

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/23743735211060769
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8

Abstract

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This prospective longitudinal study aimed to describe the trajectories of HRQoL, health literacy, and self-efficacy in patients with esophageal cancer, which have been thus far poorly described. Data were collected at baseline (preoperative phase) and in the postoperative period (two weeks, and one, two, and three months after esophagectomy). The study hypothesis was that health literacy and self-efficacy might predict better health status and quality of life over time. Forty-five patients were enrolled between 2018 and 2019. HRQoL, health literacy, and self-efficacy were assessed using validated scales. The ability to analyze information to exert greater control over life events critically (critical health literacy) (η 2 p = 0.660) and the individual's confidence in dealing with challenging tasks (self-efficacy) (η 2 p = 0.501) strongly predicted the scores of general health status over time. Overall, the functional status improved at 3 months after surgery, and this trend paralleled the decline of cancer-specific and surgery-related symptoms. In conclusion, researchers and clinicians should pay greater attention to optimizing baseline health literacy and self-efficacy levels. Future educational and motivational interventions should be further tested and possibly integrated into the prehabilitation programs.