Areas Considered Important by Patients Undergoing Anti-cancer Therapy and the Subjective QOL: The SEIQoL-DW of Outpatients under Palliative Care

ABSTRACT

Introduction: SEIQoL-DW is a method of measuring the subjective QOL by focusing on five areas considered important by the patient in a semi-structured counseling session. The objective of this study was to evaluate areas considered important by patients undergoing anti-cancer therapy and the subjective QOL. Methods: SEIQoL-DW was carried out consecutively on patients who met the inclusion criteria such as pain STAS-J 1 or lower at palliative care outpatient service. Results: The study was implemented on 68 subjects (35 anti-cancer therapy patients, and 33 palliative care patients). Commonly selected areas by anti-cancer therapy patients were “family” at 94%, “cancer treatment” at 69%, “health” at 43%, “friends” at 43%, “hobbies” at 40%. The mean subjective QOL of anti-cancer therapy patients was significantly lower than that of palliative care patients (61.5 vs 74.4). Conclusion: The area “family” makes great impact on the QOL. On the other hand, putting high importance on “cancer treatment” may have a negative impact on the QOL.