Assessment of quality of life in patients receiving radiotherapy: A multicentric study

Abstract

Aim: Biomedical and psychosocial factors are crucial in ensuring overall positive patient outcomes after any treatment. Patients diagnosed with cancer often suffer from decreased morbidity due to fear, social stigma, and the side effects of various treatment modalities, including radiotherapy (RT). This study aims at assessing the Quality of Life (QOL) among patients suffering from cancer who are undergoing RT. It seeks to elucidate the factors affecting QOL during RT. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at four cancer tertiary centers in Chennai city. Hundred and six patients undergoing RT were randomly selected. They were further grouped into three groups based on their treatment phase. The study used the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General questionnaire (FACT-G) to determine family, emotional, physical, and functional well-being of the patients. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 20.0) software. Chi-square test was done to assess the relationship between QOL with gender and different treatment phases. The study used Kendell’s tau b test to evaluate the relationship between age and QOL. Results: Overall QOL scores showed that the majority (46%) of the patients experienced a good QOL. Statistical analysis showed no significant relationship between different phases of treatment and sexes with QOL. There exists a statistically significant negative relationship between age and QOL. The assessment of the QOL subscales revealed that all the patients received an excellent safety net from family, but physical well-being was the most affected. Conclusion: This confirms the aim that QoL wanes during the course of RT. Physical well-being was the most affected among the patients. Sex and treatment phase did not affect the QOL in patients, whereas there was a negative correlation between age and QOL. A routine QOL assessment as part of the treatment and prognosis is indispensable in the future.