TY - JOUR
T1 - Quality of life and symptoms in patients with malignant diseases admitted to a comprehensive cancer centre
AU - Strömgren, Annette Sand
AU - Niemann, Carsten Utoft
AU - Tange, Ulla Brix
AU - Farholt, Hanne
AU - Sonne, Nan M
AU - Ankersen, Lena
AU - Kristensen, Lisbet
AU - Bendixen, Lisbeth
AU - Groenvold, Mogens
AU - Petersen, Morten Aagaard
AU - Nordly, Mie
AU - Christrup, Lona Louring
AU - Sjøgren, Per
AU - Kurita, Geana Paula
PY - 2014/7/1
Y1 - 2014/7/1
N2 - Purpose: Quality of life and symptomatology in patients with malignancies admitted to comprehensive cancer centres are rarely investigated. Thus, this study aimed to investigate symptomatology and health-related quality of life of inpatients with cancer. Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study was carried out on two occasions 5 weeks apart in haematology and oncology departments at a comprehensive cancer centre. Assessment included demographic data, WHO performance status (PS), EORTC QLQ-C30 and pain scales of brief pain inventory. Comparisons were analysed using Wilcoxon two-sample test, rank tests and Fisher's exact test. Results: One hundred twenty-four patients were analysed, mean age=59 years (SD=13.7), 42 % admitted to haematological department; lung cancer was the most frequent diagnosis (15 %). Low health-related quality of life and severe symptom burden, especially fatigue and appetite loss, were observed among the inpatients. In addition, role and social functions appeared to be more impaired in haematology patients than in those admitted to oncology (P=0.0372 and 0.0167, respectively). On the other hand, pain and constipation were more severely affected in oncology patients (P=0.0194 and 0.0064, respectively). Conclusions: Patients in the wards of haematology and oncology had pronounced symptomatology and low quality of life. A more systematic focus on the amelioration of problems with functioning and symptoms among inpatients with malignant diseases is warranted.
AB - Purpose: Quality of life and symptomatology in patients with malignancies admitted to comprehensive cancer centres are rarely investigated. Thus, this study aimed to investigate symptomatology and health-related quality of life of inpatients with cancer. Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study was carried out on two occasions 5 weeks apart in haematology and oncology departments at a comprehensive cancer centre. Assessment included demographic data, WHO performance status (PS), EORTC QLQ-C30 and pain scales of brief pain inventory. Comparisons were analysed using Wilcoxon two-sample test, rank tests and Fisher's exact test. Results: One hundred twenty-four patients were analysed, mean age=59 years (SD=13.7), 42 % admitted to haematological department; lung cancer was the most frequent diagnosis (15 %). Low health-related quality of life and severe symptom burden, especially fatigue and appetite loss, were observed among the inpatients. In addition, role and social functions appeared to be more impaired in haematology patients than in those admitted to oncology (P=0.0372 and 0.0167, respectively). On the other hand, pain and constipation were more severely affected in oncology patients (P=0.0194 and 0.0064, respectively). Conclusions: Patients in the wards of haematology and oncology had pronounced symptomatology and low quality of life. A more systematic focus on the amelioration of problems with functioning and symptoms among inpatients with malignant diseases is warranted.
U2 - 10.1007/s00520-014-2149-8
DO - 10.1007/s00520-014-2149-8
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 24549318
SN - 0941-4355
VL - 22
SP - 1843
EP - 1849
JO - Supportive Care in Cancer
JF - Supportive Care in Cancer
IS - 7
ER -
