How Cancer Patients Reported Their Quality of Life? Findings From a Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey in Korea

Abstract

Background: Cancer treatments have negative physical and socio-emotional consequences. Understanding which problems cancer patients are suffering and their quality of life (QOL) status is therefore important. Aim: This study aimed to describe how cancer patients reported their QOL and factors associated therewith. Methods: A total of 689 cancer patients aged ≥ 19 were selected from the Korea National and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), 2007-2015. HRQOL was measured using the five dimensions and summary index (ranges from 0 to 1) of the EuroQOL-5 (EQ-5D). Higher index score and less problems reported in dimensions indicates better QOL status. Logistic regression was performed to analyze the probability of cancer patient reporting problem in QOL dimensions. Statistical analyses were adjusted for sample weights. Result: Of 689 participants, mean age was 57.7 ± 0.67, 47.9% were male, 80.4% lived in urban area. 29.3% had hypertension and 15.3% had arthritis as comorbidity. Mean EQ-5D index score was 0.898 ± 0.007; higher score was noted in 19-65 age group (0.932 ± 0.007), living in urban area (0.906 ± 0.008), living in apartment (0.926 ± 0.008), male gender (0.912 ± 0.011), higher income, higher education level and more comorbidities ( P < 0.05). Participants reported more problems in pain or discomfort (34.09%), followed by mobility (24.91%) and usual activities (19.72%). Less problems were recorded in depression (17.37%) and self-care (8.04%). Patients with two or more comorbidities experienced higher chance of reporting problems in mobility, usual activity and self-care (aOR 4.01, 3.11 and 2.82 respectively, P < 0.05). Older age group was associated with higher chance of reporting problems in all QOL dimensions. Female cancer patients experienced higher chance of reporting problems in pain/discomfort and depression/anxiety (aOR 2.11 and 2.18 respectively, P < 0.05). Conclusion: More than one third of Korean adult cancer patients reported moderate or severe level of pain and discomfort. Older age, female gender and having two or more comorbidities were factors associated with lower QOL.