[Activities of daily living, quality of life and related factors in cachectic gastrointestinal cancer patients].

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Taiwan. Cachexia, which causes significant weight loss and malnutrition, is a common complication and one of the major causes of death in advanced cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between personal characteristics, nutritional status, activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QOL) in 40 cachectic gastrointestinal tract cancer (GI cancer) patients in southern Taiwan. A descriptive correlation study design and three structured questionnaires (including the Personal Characteristics, Index of Self-Report ADL and WHOQOL-BREF) were used. Nutritional status was assessed by measurement of body weight and triceps skin-fold thickness. The results showed that: (1) The mean ADL score was 65.73 out of 77, a medium-high score. (2) The standardized QOL score was 58.71, a medium score, with the highest score in the social relationships domain and the lowest score in the physical health domain. (3) There were some significant differences and correlations to the ADL were age and percentage of body weight loss; (4) there were some significant differences and correlations to the QOL were employment, the level of the physical symptoms influence and %IBW; (5) ADL was significantly correlated to the QOL, physical health domain and environment domain. The results indicate that in addition to providing symptoms management and care, the health care team should also further examine the impact of ADL and QOL related factors. The information will be helpful in improving the ADL and QOL of patients in the future.