Identification of Fatigue and Pain as Key Predictors of Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients Treated for Rectal Cancer

Rectal cancer treatment negatively impacts health-related quality of life (HRQOL). A multivariable prediction model developed in this study found that patient-reported outcomes from EORTC QLQ-C30, particularly fatigue and pain, were significant predictors of global HRQOL at all time points. These factors explained 55-65% of the variation in HRQOL, compared to patient characteristics and clinical factors explaining only 4-10%. Early interventions targeting fatigue and pain could enhance HRQOL post-treatment.