Cancers (Aug 2020)

Health-Related Quality of Life and Experiences of Sarcoma Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic

  • Eugenie Younger,
  • Alannah Smrke,
  • Emma Lidington,
  • Sheima Farag,
  • Katrina Ingley,
  • Neha Chopra,
  • Alessandra Maleddu,
  • Yolanda Augustin,
  • Eve Merry,
  • Roger Wilson,
  • Charlotte Benson,
  • Aisha Miah,
  • Shane Zaidi,
  • Anne McTiernan,
  • Sandra J. Strauss,
  • Palma Dileo,
  • Spyridon Gennatas,
  • Olga Husson,
  • Robin L. Jones

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers12082288
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 8
p. 2288

Abstract

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Sarcomas are rare cancers with a spectrum of clinical needs and outcomes. We investigated care experiences and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in sarcoma patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients with appointments during the first two months of the UK lockdown were invited to complete a survey. Questions included views on care modifications, COVID-19 worry and psychosocial impact, and EORTC-QLQ-C30 items. 350 patients completed the survey; median age 58 (16–92) years. Care modifications included telemedicine (74%) and postponement of appointments (34%), scans (34%) or treatment (10%). Most felt the quality of care was not affected (72%), however, social life (87%) and emotional wellbeing (41%) were affected. Worry about COVID-19 infection was moderately high (mean 5.8/10) and significantly related to higher cancer-related worry; associated with lower emotional functioning irrespective of treatment intent. Curative patients (44%) with low resilient coping scores had significantly higher COVID-19 worry. Patients who did not know their treatment intent (22%) had significantly higher COVID-19 worry and insomnia. In summary, care experiences were generally positive; however, cancer-related worry, low resilient coping and uncertainty about treatment intent were associated with COVID-19 worry. These patients may benefit from additional psychological support during the pandemic and beyond.

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