Deepa Rao|Scott M. Debb|David L. Blitz|Seung W. Choi|David Cella
Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Health-Related Quality of Life of Cancer Patients
Northwestern University|NorthShore University HealthSystem|NorthShore University HealthSystem|NorthShore University HealthSystem|Northwestern University|NorthShore University HealthSystem|Northwestern University|NorthShore University HealthSystem
previous research suggested compared european americans eas african americans aas higher risk metastatic disease time cancer diagnosis higher risk shorter survival although aa patients reported worse physical health ea patients studies rarely addressed whether racialethnic disparities exist social emotional functional aspects healthrelated quality life five hundred two aa 396 ea patients aidsrelated malignancies breast colon headneck lung cancers seeking treatment within contiguous united states puerto rico participated present study responses functional assessment cancer therapygeneral analyzed possible racialethnic disparities using multivariable regression models item response theory modeling detect differential item functioning differential item functioning found six items functional assessment cancer therapygeneral indicating aa ea participants different probabilities responding items compared eas level healthrelated quality life aas reported severe symptomatology items reflected malaise ability work less severe symptomatology items reflected fatigue treatment side effects outlook life subscale level aas reported poorer physical social wellbeing better emotional wellbeing eas similar previous studies aa patients reported poorer physical functioning comparable group ea patients items appear responded differently aas eas suggesting important consider raceethnicity evaluating responses questions healthrelated quality life