Assessing Perceived Quality-of-Life of Patients with Cancer in Day-Care Setting from Southern India
Authors: Persis Elias Mathew, Dharshini Nangaru, Elias Mathew
Indian Journal of Pharmacy Practice, Vol. 20, Issue 1, pp. 16-21, (2027)
Abstract
Background: Quality of Life (QoL) is a key outcome measure in cancer care demonstrating the multidimensional impact of disease burden and therapy beyond survival. While patients undergoing chemotherapy experience toxicities, their QoL is affected. However, longitudinal data describing within-patient change across chemotherapy course in day-care Indian setting are limited. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted by including adult cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at day-care facility in three different pre-defined time points, baseline (pre-chemotherapy), early therapy phase (post-two cycles) and late therapy phase (end-of-therapy or ≥5-cycles). QoL was measured using self-designed, pre-validated questionnaire. Results: 110 participants completed QoL assessment at all three time points. Mean perceived QoL scores declined from baseline (56.8±8.5) to early therapy (49.9±9.9) and there was a partial recovery by the end (54.7±9.2) of the therapy (p<0.001). Domain wise analysis showed persistent impairment in physical and social functioning across therapy phase, whereas emotional well-being improved progressively during the therapy course. No significant association was observed among the age groups, however females reported to have worsened QoL than males at the end of the therapy. Conclusion: Perceived QoL during the chemotherapy follows a dynamic course with decline in the early phase and marginal recovery in the later/end phase of the therapy. QoL during later therapy phases appears to be driven by emotional adaptation rather than the resolution of physical or social functioning.
Keywords: Cancer, Day-Care Setting, Longitudinal Study, Oncology, Quality-of-Life
