Factors Affecting Quality of Life in Cancer Patients under Chemotherapy in Tehran (2004)

Introduction: Cancer patients face psychosocial and physical problems, which may have an impact on the patient’s quality of life (QOL). The quality of life is a powerful factor when it comes to the guidance, maintenance and increasing the level of health and culture of communities. No more attention has been paid to QOL of patients with cancer in our country.  Close relation between medical health staffs, mainly nurses, and patients who are suffering from cancer will assist the medical and health staffs and the patients to better understanding the different aspects of quality of life to increase the level of health in such patients.

This research was carried out in 2004 in order to assess the QOL and its related factors in patients under going chemotherapy in the Oncology Hospital of Tehran University of Medical Science.

Materials & Methods: This Study was a descriptive and analytical design.   200 patients with different types of cancer (solid tumour) who referred to Cancer Clinic of Tehran University of Medical Sciences for chemotherapy were selected by selection sampling method. Data was collected using interview, patients’ files or patients' self reports.

An American QOL questionnaire of the medical information service for diabetic patient and heart disease patient was used for data collection. The QOL questionnaire included general condition, physical activities, sleep pattern, social activities and job performance. Descriptive statistic and chi square test were used to analyse the data.

Results: The sample consisted of (54.5%) male and (65%) literate and the mean age was 46.15 + 15.52 years old.

The results also showed that the QOL in majority of studied subjects was fairly favourable (66%). In relation to the each aspects of QOL, the majority of cancer patients under chemotherapy were living in well general status (physical and psychological heath) (54%), social status and occupational function (78.5%) and sleep pattern (58%).  74.5% of subjects were fairly living in normal physical activities.  There was significant correlation between chemotherapy (P<0.05) and the number of chemotherapy session (P<0.05) with the quality of life. There was no correlation between other demographic variables such as: age, gender, level of literacy, duration of disease, economical status, marital status and occupational status with the quality of life.

Conclusion: Since there was a significant correlation between chemotherapy and quality of life, it can be concluded that chemotherapy is an effective factor in improving quality of life in patients with cancer. Because chemotherapy is socially stigmatised, it is important to satisfy the patients with cancer and their family to play an active role in the treatment.