Psychological distress, physical illness and mortality risk.

Background: Psychological distress has been associated with an increased risk of overall and disease-specific mortality risk. This study examines whether the length of follow-up time influences mortality risk.

Methods: The associations between psychological distress and all-cause and coronary heart disease mortality were modelled using proportional hazards modelling in a prospective cohort study of 6920 men and women aged 45-64 years.

Does knowledge of cancer diagnosis affect quality of life? A methodological challenge.

Background: As part of an assessment of quality of life in lung cancer patients an investigation was carried out to examine whether the knowledge of their diagnosis affected their quality of life.

Methods: Every patient in a defined geographical area with a potential diagnosis of lung cancer was interviewed at first consultation and after a definitive treatment has been given. Quality of life was assessed using three standard measures: the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), the EORTC quality of life questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and its lung cancer supplementary questionnaire (QLQ-LC13).

Quality of life in lung cancer patients: does socioeconomic status matter?

Background: As part of a prospective study on quality of life in newly diagnosed lung cancer patients an investigation was carried out to examine whether there were differences among patients' quality of life scores and their socioeconomic status.

Methods: Quality of life was measured at two points in time (baseline and three months after initial treatment) using three standard instruments; the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), the European Organization for Research and Cancer Treatment Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and its lung cancer supplement (QLQ-LC13). Socioeconomic status for each individual patient was derived using Carstairs and Morris Deprivation Category ranging from 1 (least deprived) to 7 (most deprived) on the basis of the postcode sector of their address.

How quality of life data contribute to our understanding of cancer patients' experiences? A study of patients with lung cancer.

A prospective study was conducted to measure quality of life in newly diagnosed lung cancer patients attending a chest clinic in a large teaching and district general hospital in a geographically defined area (northern sector of Glasgow, Scotland). Quality of life was assessed at two points in time, pre-diagnosis (baseline) and 3 months after diagnosis (follow-up) using three standard measures; the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP); the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), and its lung cancer supplement (QLQ-LC13). Out of 133 lung cancer patients diagnosed during the study period, 129 patients (97%) were interviewed pre-diagnosis.