Objectives
Colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy often experience fluctuations in quality of life (QoL), influenced by various psychosocial factors, including personality.
Sample and setting/procedures
Using a prospective longitudinal design, we assessed QoL and personality traits in colorectal cancer patients receiving FOLFOX chemotherapy. Assessments were conducted at two time points: one day before the first and last chemotherapy cycle. Personality was measured using the Korean version of the BFI-10, which captures the Big Five personality traits: extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness. QoL was assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30, which includes the global health status (GH), functional scales (FS), and symptom scales (SS). Associations between QoL and personality were analysed using multivariate linear regression, adjusting for demographic and clinical variables.
Results
Of 162 patients who enrolled, 134 patients were followed up. There were no significant changes between the first and last chemotherapy, except for the SS score of EORTC QLQ-C30. The SS score significantly increased on the last chemo compare to first chemotherapy.
In univariate analysis, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism were related to GH or FS scores of both time points (all p < 0.05). In the result of multivariate regression with clinical and sociodemographic variables, more extraverted personality trait related with higher score of GH and FS score (p = 0.001 and 0.003, repectively) on the first chemotherapy and more agreeableness personality trait related with higher score of FS on the both first and last chemotherapy (p < 0.001, both). Meanwhile, the negative relationship between neuroticism and EORTC subscales was attenuated and not significant after being adjusted.
Conclusion and clinical implications
In this study, extraversion and agreeableness but not neuroticism tend to have an important role in the QoL of colorectal patients who undergo chemotherapy. Understanding the personality of the patient who undergoes chemotherapy would be helpful for personalised care.