Analysis of quality of life and sexual quality of life in cervical cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the quality of life, sexual quality of life and its influencing factors in cervical cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Methods Pre-menopausal patients of 87 cases were diagnosed with cervical cancer treated with radiotherapy at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from December 2013 to December 2018 were recruited in this study. The functional assessment of cancer therapy-cervix ( FACT-Cx V4. 0) and the female sexual function index ( FSFI) were evaluated. Demographic and treatment data were collected. The influencing factors were analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis. Results The total score of quality of life was 114( 100-126) , 19( 16-21) for physiology, 21( 18-24) for social/family, 19( 17-21 ) for emotion, 19 ( 14-22 ) for function and 39 ( 34-43 ) for additional attention, respectively. The end time of radiotherapy was the influencing factor of the total score ( P= 0.034 ) , physiology ( P=0) and function ( P=0.008) . Family was the influencing factor of social family dimension ( P=0.010) . The total score of FSFI was 8.0( 5.0-20.5) , 1.8( 1.2-3.0) for sexual desire, 1.5( 0-2.7) for sexual arousal, 0.3( 0-3.6) for vaginal lubrication, 0( 0-3.6) for orgasm, 3.2( 2-4) for satisfaction and 0( 0-3.6) for sexual pain, respectively. The total score was less than 27 in 97%( 84/87) of the patients and had sexual dysfunction. Age was the influencing factor of sexual arousal ( P=0.005) and vaginal lubrication ( P=0.039) . Occupation was the influencing factor of sexual pain ( P=0.004) . Conclusions The quality of life of premenopausal patients with cervical cancer is affected by multiple factors. Radiotherapy-related complications should be actively treated to improve the quality of life and sexual life of patients.