Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (Aug 2019)

Journey from Fighters to Survivors: Quality of Life and Mental Status in Cancer Patients in a Rural Tertiary Care Hospital

  • Raza Shaheed,
  • Samarth Shukla,
  • Sourya Acharya,
  • Uplabdh Gopal,
  • Neema Acharya

DOI
https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2019/41982.13065
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 8
pp. XC01 – XC04

Abstract

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Introduction: Cancer is a major public health burden in India. Though modern medicine has made tremendous advancements in the treatment of cancers, still morbidity and mortality remain high. It affects different domains of Quality of Life (QOL). So apart from the conventional treatment protocols, cancer care seems to be the corner stone to reduce patient morbidity and ultimately prolonging survival. Aim: To assess QOL and mental status in cancer patients undergoing treatment. Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with cancer and undergoing treatment and patients attending the oncology clinics for follow-up after receiving chemo or radiotherapy during January 2019 to March 2019 were studied. The scores of WHOQOL-BREF and WEMWBS questionnaires were evaluated. Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient was applied to determine different domains of WHOQOL-BREFwith WEMWBS. Reliability analysis of WHOQOL-BREF and WEMWBS by Cronbach Alpha. Regression analysis of different Domain of WHOQOL-BREF with age, gender and WEMWBS. Results: A total of 42 patients were enrolled in the study. The correlation between WHOQOL-BREF and WEMWBS was found to be significant. Physical health was significantly (p-value <0.05) associated with psychological, social relationship and environmental domain. Psychological domain was significantly (p-value <0.05) associated with physical health and environment domain. Social relationship was significantly (p-value <0.05) associated with physical health only. Environment was significantly (p-value <0.05) associated with physical health and psychological domain. Internal consistency of WHOQOLBREF and WEMWBS were acceptable . Regression analysis of Physical health=8.090+0.205*WEMWBS. Regression analysis of Psychological domain=1.020+0.317*WEMWBS. Conclusion: Awareness amongst the patients diagnosed with cancer is very important. Special emphasis should be given to improve the QOL and overall well-being of cancer patients apart from the normal treatment protocols.

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