Table 1. Baseline characteristics.
| Characteristic | Early discharge (n=54) | Conventional stay (n=54) |
|---|---|---|
| Mean (s.d.) | Mean (s.d.) | |
| Age | 54.9 (12.23) | 57.3 (8.66) |
| Number of years full-time education after 13 years | 4.3 (2.71) | 3.8 (2.68) |
| No. (%) | No. (%) | |
| Type of surgery | ||
| Wide local excision | 29 (53.7) | 29 (53.7) |
| Mastectomy | 25 (46.3) | 25 (46.3) |
| Deprivation category | ||
| Most affluent-1 | 7 (13) | 3 (5.9) |
| 2 | 15 (27.8) | 11(21.6) |
| 3 | 15 (27.8) | 17 (33.3) |
| 4 | 6 (11.1) | 10 (19.6) |
| 5 | 4 (7.4) | 3 (5.9) |
| 6 | 7 (13) | 7 (13.7) |
| Comorbid disease | ||
| Combined (all) | 35 (64.8) | 32 (59.3) |
| Cardiovascular risk factors | 14 (25.9) | 9 (16.7) |
| Chest problems | 9 (16.7) | 5 (9.3) |
| Arthritis, back pain | 8 (14.8) | 7 (13) |
| Endocrine disorders | 7 (13) | 7 (13) |
| Noninsulin diabetic | 2 (3.7) | 1 (1.9) |
| Skin disorders | 1 (1.9) | 3 (5.6) |
| Gastrointestinal disease | 3 (5.6) | 4 (7.4) |
| Other | 13 (24.1) | 17 (31.5) |
| World health organisation performance status | ||
| Normal activity without restriction | 50 (92.6) | 51 (94.4) |
| Strenuous activity restricted, can do light work | 4 (7.4) | 3 (5.6) |
| Marital status | ||
| Single (never married) | 3 (5.6) | 1 (1.9) |
| Married | 40 (74.1) | 38 (70.4) |
| Widowed | 5 (9.3) | 5 (9.3) |
| Divorced/separated | 6 (11.2) | 10 (18.5) |
| Living alone | 6 (11.1) | 7 (13) |
| Living with others | 48 (88.9) | 47 (87) |
| Carer available – all day/night | 47 (87) | 44 (81.5) |
| Carer available – as required | 7 (13) | 10 (18.5) |
| Carer self-rating of general health | n=44 | n=42 |
| Poor | 1 (2.3) | 2 (2.4) |
| Fair | 3 (6.8) | 5 (12.2) |
| Good | 25 (56.8) | 25 (61) |
| Excellent | 15 (34.1) | 10 (24.4) |
| Carer Comorbidity | ||
| All | 16 (36.4) | 17 (39.5) |
| Mean (s.d.) | Mean (s.d.) | |
| Age of nominated carer | 60.33 (18.83) | 59.11 (18.36) |
| Distance from hospital (miles) | 14.2 (11.27) | 16.5 (13.88) |
| FACT subscale scores | ||
| Physical well being | 25.4 (2.95) | 24.8 (3.17) |
| Social and functional well being | 24.4 (4.35) | 24.9 (2.92) |
| Emotional well being | 16.9 (4.14) | 16.07 (5.32) |
| Functional well being | 22.02 (5.34) | 20.8 (5.85) |
| FACT G total score | 88.7 (12.47) | 86.6 (12.47) |
| Additional concerns (breast score) | 26.6 (4.9) | 26.1 (4.98) |
| FACT B total scorea | 115.3 (15.31) | 113.4 (15.1) |
| EUROQOL | ||
| Health stateb | 78.3 (16.42) | 78.1 (18.59) |
| EQ-5D indexc | 0.81 (0.21) | 0.79 (0.20) |
| Median 0.85 | Median 0.85 | |
| No. (%) | No. (%) | |
| EUROQOL | ||
| Mobility – no problems | 48 (90.6) | 43 (81.1) |
| Self-care – no problems | 52 (98.1) | 48 (90.6) |
| Usual activities – no problems | 43 (81.1) | 43 (81.1) |
| No pain or discomfort | 37 (71.1) | 35 (66) |
| No anxiety or depression | 20 (37.7) | 20 (37.7) |
| Movement of affected arm | ||
| Flexion – full | 52 (96%) | 54 (100%) |
| Extension – full | 53 (98%) | 53 (98%) |
| Abduction – full | 51 (94%) | 53 (98%) |
| Lateral rotation –full | 40 (74%) | 42 (78%) |
| Medial rotation – full | 49 (91%) | 46 (85%) |
a
FACT B=FACT G+additional concerns (breast). Higher scores represent better quality of life.
b
Measured using 100 mm visual analogue scale. Higher scores=better quality of life.
c
A weighted health index, where full health has a value of 1 and death a value of 0.