Relationship between Symptom Severity, Symptom Distress, and Quality of Life in Patients with Rectal Cancer with Low Anterior Resection Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives: This study investigated the relationships between symptom severity, symptom distress, and quality of life in patients with rectal cancer with low anterior resection syndrome (LARS).Methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants were assessed using an anonymous self-reported questionnaire, including sociodemographic sheet, Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) score, the Symptom Distress Inventory of Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (SDI-LARS), and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life QLQ-C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) questionnaire. Data were analyzed descriptively, and the aforementioned relationships were tested using bivariate correlation analysis and conditional probability analysis.Results: This study included 247 patients with LARS. Higher symptom severity was associated with more severe symptom distress and poorer quality of life. More severe symptom distress from LARS was associated with poorer quality of life. Whatever patients with LARS, those exhibiting distress from LARS had worse quality of life.Conclusions: Symptom distress from LARS seems to be a more sensitive factor reflecting the impact of LARS on quality of life than the symptom severity of LARS is.Implications for Nursing Practice: The SDI-LARS is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing LARS symptom distress, which is valuable for screening patients with the distress. Using this instrument to identify patients with LARS symptom distress and providing timely care that enhances patients’ capacity to cope with bowel problems may be an effective strategy for managing LARS. Identification of and empowerment to cope with LARS symptom distress can reduce impacts of the syndrome and improve quality of life.