Assessing Preoperative (EORTC) QLQ-C30 Score in Elderly Patients with Colorectal Cancer: Results from a Prospective Cohort Study

<b>Background</b>: In the present study, we aimed to investigate the association between (EORTC) QLQ-C30 scores and both preoperative somatometric parameters and postoperative outcomes in elderly patients undergoing elective surgery for resectable colorectal cancer. <b>Methods</b>: The 118 elderly consecutive patients who underwent colorectal surgery for cancer in a single university's surgical department between 01/2018 and 12/2018 were prospectively enrolled in the present study. All patients with an age > 65 years, diagnosed with resectable colorectal cancer, without metastatic disease, that underwent elective surgery were included prospectively in the present study. <b>Results</b>: Regarding patients' characteristics, a negative correlation between preoperative QLQ (pQLQ) score and age (<i>p</i> = 0.001) and a positive correlation between body mass index (BMI) and pQLQ score (<i>p</i> = 0.048) were observed. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant difference (<i>p</i> = 0.004) in the mean pQLQ score between patients with rectal or colon cancer. Moreover, assessing pQLQ score was a useful tool in terms of postoperative recovery. Negative correlations between the pQLQ score and time (days) of beginning oral feeding (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and length of hospital stay (<i>p</i> = 0.004) were found. The pQLQ score was statistically significantly lower (<i>p</i> = 0.005) in patients who had any postoperative complication; however, there was no difference in patients with major complications. <b>Conclusions</b>: Advanced age, colon cancer and decreased BMI were negatively associated with preoperative QLQ. The assessment of pQLQ in elderly patients with colorectal cancer can be a useful predictive tool for postoperative complications, length of hospital stay and postoperative rehabilitation.