A Cross sectional study of Quality of Life of Cancer patients attending Palliative Care OPD.

ABSTRACT

Abstracts Background: In India there are 2-2.5 million estimated cancer patients at any given point of time. ‘Palliative care’ approach improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing problem associated with life-threatening illness. Quality of life (QOL) is multidimensional construct. Objectives: To assess their quality of life and factors associated with it. This is an attempt to collect baseline data to help improve palliative care services. Materials and Methods: selected patients for the study (total=108) were interviewed with the help of FACT-G Scale for Measuring the Health-related QOL (Sub scores-Physical, Social, Emotional & Functional well-being). The total scores ranged from 0-108 (0-47 poor, 48-63 average, 64-108 good). Statistical Analysis: Chi square test. Results: Out of total 108 patients, 72.22% were females. Mean age was 50.91 years (SD± 2.02). 78.70% were married, 29.63% illiterate, 43.52% belonged to Middle Socio-economic class, 89.81% had Stage 2 and 3 cancer. Mean total FACT-G scale QOL score was 54.61 (SD ±8.18). Relation between marital status and socio-economic status with total QOL score was statistically significant. Conclusions: The median of all sub-scores worsened with progress of stage of cancer. Patients with better socio-economic status and were married had better QOL scores. Counselling will improve their QOL through palliative care services.