Impact of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy on the Quality of Life in Cancer Patients

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between chemotherapy- induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) and quality of life, as well as to establish whether there was a difference in peripheral neuropathy symptoms and their effect on the quality of life depending on the type of agents applied. The study encompassed 156 patients treated at the Department of Oncology from March to May 2017. Data were collected through self-reported questionnaires issued by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ-C30) and by Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy module (CIPN20). The results showed sensory and motor neuropathy to be statistically significantly correlated with the general quality of life variables of pain, tiredness, diarrhea, insomnia and breathing difficulty. Oxaliplatin had a significantly greater effect on the onset of motor and sensory neuropathy than taxane and cisplatin/carboplatin. Nursing interventions based on specific characteristics of certain chemotherapeutic agents should be developed for CIPN alleviation.

Keywords

• Cancer
• Oncology
• Neuropathy
• Oxaliplatin
• Taxane
• Cisplatin