Health-related quality of life and its predictors among patients with breast cancer at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundBreast cancer is the second most prevalent malignancy in Ethiopia and severely affects patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We aimed to assess HRQoL, factors influencing HRQoL, and utilities among breast cancer patients at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.MethodsA hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital from December 2017 to February, 2018. A total of 404 breast cancer patients were interviewed using the validated Amharic version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer module (EORTC QLQ-C30), EORTC QLQ-BR23, and Euro Quality of Life Group’s 5-Domain Questionnaires 5 Levels (EQ-5D-5 L) instruments. Mean scores and mean differences of EORTC- QLQ-C30 and EORTC- QLQ-BR23 were calculated. One-way ANOVA test was employed to determine the significance of mean differences among dependent and independent variables while stepwise multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the global quality of life (GQOL). Coefficients and level specific utility values obtained from a hybrid regression model for the Ethiopian population were used to compute utility values of each health state. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23.ResultsThe mean age of patients was 43.94 ± 11.72 years. The mean score for GQoL and visual analog scale was 59.32 ± 22.94 and 69.94 ± 20.36, respectively while the mean utility score was 0.8 ± 0.25. Predictors of GQoL were stage of cancer (AOR = 7.94; 95% CI: 1.83–34.54), cognitive functioning (AOR = 2.38; 95% CI: 1.32–4.31), pain (AOR = 7.99; 95% CI: 4.62–13.83), financial difficulties (AOR = 2.60; 95% CI: 1.56–4.35), and future perspective (AOR = 2.08; 95% CI: 1.24–3.49).ConclusionsThe overall GQoL of breast cancer patients was moderate. Targeted approaches to improve patients’ HRQoL should consider stage of cancer, cognitive functioning, pain, financial status and worries about the patient’s future health. This study also provides estimates of EQ-5D utility scores that can be used in economic evaluations.

Health Related Quality of Life of Patients with Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases During the Coronavirus Pandemic in Ethiopia: A Multi-Facility Study

“…Whereas, comparators with the same measurement and population are lacking in the study area, the gure is smaller against the population based EQ VAS valuation score (mean=87.27+-13.63) for Ethiopians [39]. Yet, this result is almost the same to the EQ VAS score of breast cancer patients (mean =69.94+-20.36) at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital in the same setting [40].…”

<p>Quality of Life Among Breast Cancer Patients Attending Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Cancer Treatment Center</p>

“…31,32 However, it is inconsistent with studies conducted in different countries. 19,25,26,28,[34][35][36][37] The level of quality of care might vary among care providers and even among institutions where the care was provided. For instance, a study conducted in northern Ethiopia proved that there was no radiotherapy in its area during the study.…”

Why women with breast cancer presented late to health care facility in North-west Ethiopia? A qualitative study

“…A qualitative study using phenomenological approach was used to explore the reasons for late presentation of women for breast cancer care. We used these method since it is important to study “lived experiences of individuals about a certain phenomenon” in this case, the experience of breast cancer patients with their initial symptoms, their reasons for delay for seeking medical visit [ 31 ]. The study was conducted from November to December 2019 in two comprehensive specialized teaching hospitals located in the North-western Ethiopia (University of Gondar and Felege Hiwot Specialized hospitals).…”