Evaluating health related quality of life in outpatients receiving anti-cancer treatment: results from an observational, cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background The aim of the study was to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in outpatients receiving anti-cancer treatment. Methods Observational, cross-sectional, single-center study that assessed HRQOL in cancer patients receiving antineoplastic treatment. Results A total of 184 patients were included in the study; the median total FACT-G score was 66\u2009±\u200912.9; the scores for the physical well-being, social/family well-being, emotional well-being\xa0and functional\xa0well-being domains were 17.8\u2009+\u20094.8, 19.1\u2009±\u20094.4, 14.8\u2009±\u20093.8 and 14.3\u2009±\u20094.7 respectively. Patients with adverse events had poorer HRQOL compared to those without them (FACT-G score 62.2 vs. 67.3; p \u2009<\u20090.05). In the multivariate analysis the variables associated with poorer HRQOL in the form of a gradient were tumor stage and performance status (ECOG); female sex was also associated with poorer HRQOL. Conclusion In our study, the neoplastic disease and anti-cancer treatment toxicities had an impact on HRQOL. Patients had poorer scores in the functional well-being domain and higher ones in the social/family well-being domain. Variables associated with worse HRQOL were tumor stage, performance status (ECOG) and female sex.