Study on the predictors of the menopausal symptoms related quality of life in patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

ABSTRACT

Objective • To survey the menopausal symptoms related quality of life in patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy and its determinants, which provides theoretical basis on intervention. Methods • In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire survey was conducted on 484 breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in 9 hospitals nationwide recruited by convenience sampling approach, from July 2016 to December 2017. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Spearman correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were preformed to explore the risk factors of the menopausal symptoms related quality of life. Results • The mean score of the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) was 9.580±6.174 with 75.8% larger than 4, which indicated poor quality of life. One-Way ANOVA results showed the effect of marital status, monthly income, and the change of menstrual status on the MRS score were statistically significant. Spearman correlation results showed that the MRS score was positive correlated with anxiety and depression score and chemotherapy symptoms score, but negative correlated with social support score. Three of the nine variables, chemotherapy symptoms, anxiety, and information and emotional support, were selected by the multiple linear stepwise regression analysis, and could explain 43.0% of total variance (P<0.01). Conclusion • Most breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy have poor menopausal symptoms related quality of life. The main determinants were chemotherapy symptoms, anxiety, and information and emotional support. Informational and emotional support should be actively provided and mental health interventions should be strengthened, which could effectively improve their quality of life.