Health related quality of life assessment of cancer patients during chemotherapy-radiotherapy

Abstract EN

One hundred and five (105) patients participated in this study (54 males, 51 females).

Fifty-five (52.

4 %) patients < 50 years of age and 50 (47.

6 %) patients > 50 years of age.

Fifty-seven (54.

3 %) patients with early stage (I, II) at diagnosis and 48 (45.

7 %) patients with advanced stage (III, IV).

Fifty-nine (56.2%) patients received chemotherapy and 46 patients (43.8%) received radiotherapy.

Patient s responses to all questions revealed significant health related quality of life problems among such patients during treatment.

Generalized weakness was found in 64 (61 %) patients ; nausea in 36 (34.3%) patients; inability to cope with family wishes in 52 (49.

5 %) patients; pain in 48 (45.

7 %) patients; feeling bad about treatment side effects in 65 patients (61.

9 %); feeling sick during treatment in 72 (68.6%) patients; need to rest on bed for a long time in 60 (57.1%) patients; no satisfaction with daily home work in 69 (65.

7 %) patients; not able to enjoy life these days in 65 (61.

9 %) patients ; not able to do all daily duties in 63 (60 %) patients; not accepting their illness in 2 (1.

9 %) patients; do not sleep well in 47 (44.

8 %) patients; not enjoying their hobbies in 65 (61.9%) patients and finally not satisfied with their quality of life in 18 (17.

1 %) patients.

Analysis of all responses with negative impact in relation to age, sex, stage of the disease and treatment modality revealed more problems in patients > 50 years of age than younger patients, males more than females, advanced stage more than early stage and finally chemotherapy group more than radiotherapy.

It is concluded that health related quality of life issues arepresent in such patients and hence awareness and more support are needed.