Quality of life and factors affecting it in adult cancer patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background Cancer is the second most common cause of deaths worldwide. Likewise, in India, it is a major health problem, and disease burden is escalating every year. Cancer chemotherapy produces unfavorable effects on the well‐being of an individual. Since the past few years, quality of life (QoL) is considered as the main goal of cancer treatment in the survival of a patient. Aim This current study aimed to assess the QoL and factors affecting it in adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Methods and Results An analytical, cross‐sectional study was conducted to achieve the objectives, employing the consecutive sampling method. A total of 120 adult (>19 years) patients were recruited from daycare chemotherapy unit of a tertiary care hospital. The data were collected using patient record form and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy‐General (FACT‐G), a quality of life (QoL) questionnaire. The overall mean score of quality of life (QoL) was 61.933 ± 5.85502. The domains of functional well‐being and emotional well‐being were most negatively affected after cancer chemotherapy. Education (illiteracy) and occupation (unemployment) were negatively associated with overall quality of life (QoL) of cancer patients on chemotherapy. Adverse drug reactions due to cancer chemotherapy negatively affect the quality of life (QoL) of cancer patients. Education (illiteracy) affects social well‐being domain of cancer patients. Working in the government/private sector has a positive impact on functional well‐being domain of quality of life (QoL). Conclusion The study findings suggest an overall low quality of life (QoL) among adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at our setup. It has been identified as a stressful therapy, also affecting both psychological and physical well‐being. Poor infrastructure, illiteracy, poverty, and lack of proper treatment facilities at most centres often lead to poor survival outcomes and hence focus has always been on achieving quantity of life rather than quality of life (QoL). This is further complicated due to nonavailability of validated tools in local vernacular, apathy of the treating physicians in the context of QoL aspects and social and cultural factors that are unique to this society. Psycho‐oncology needs to become an integral entity of comprehensive cancer care.

Factors Associated with Choosing the Kerala Model of Palliative Care versus Standard Care among Indian Cancer Patients

“…15 This study found that the KMPC group experienced increased emotional fulfillment and stability than the SC group, contrasting with existing research, which identified high emotional distress or lowered emotional health among cancer patients undergoing palliative care. 19 This difference maybe because KMPC patients can be recruited into care at any stage of the treatment process rather than only when the patient is at the terminal stage or on the deathbed, 4 as opposed to traditional palliative care provision worldwide. 20 Therefore, patients choosing KMPC may be better emotionally adapted to cancer and its treatment.…”

Development of National Cancer Database for Cost and Quality of Life (CaDCQoL) in India: a protocol

“…Taking a non-response rate of 10%, the final sample size at each centre was estimated as 845. Similarly, considering the mean utility score of 0.61 among cancer patients in India as reported by Ramasubbu et al 20 , the minimum sample size for HRQOL assessment was calculated as 362 at 5% margin of error and 95% CI. Taking non-response rate of 10%, final sample size for each centre was found to be 398.…”

Quality of life in cancer patients with different preferences for nurse spiritual therapeutics: The role of psychological capital

“…Yoon et al (2018) undertook a comparative study of 176 adults with cancer and 176 healthy adults and found that adults with cancer had lower QoL and their QoL was affected by social support, financial worries, comorbidity, cancer-related concerns and optimism. Ramasubbu et al (2020) recruited 120 patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy and found low QoL, and that education (illiteracy), occupation (working in the government/private sector) and adverse drug reactions significantly impacted QoL. Ahlam et al (2019) investigated 120 patients with advanced cancer and found they had poor general QoL, and that physical function, emotional function and fatigue were significantly correlated with QoL.…”