Impact of Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy on Quality of Life in Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer Receiving Platinum-based Chemotherapy

Abstract

Purpose: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common adverse event of cancer treatment that may affect quality of life (QoL). The purposes of this study were to: assess the levels of CIPN, depression, general QoL, and CIPN–related QoL; and identify the factors related to CIPN–related QoL and general QoL in patients with advanced lung cancer (LC) receiving platinum-based chemotherapy.Methods: This cross-sectional study examined patients with advanced LC who received platinum-based chemotherapy from the thoracic oncology inpatient wards of a medical center in northern Taiwan. Structured questionnaires were used to measure patients’ CIPN, depression, general QoL, and CIPN-related QoL.Results: Of the 93 patients with advanced LC studied, 53.8% and 47.3% reported CIPN–sensory impairment and CIPN–motor impairment, respectively. The most common CIPN symptoms were difficulty getting or maintaining an erection and difficulty in climbing stairs or getting up out of a chair. Poor CIPN–related QoL was associated with more CIPN–sensory and more CIPN–motor impairment. Poor general QoL was associated with a higher level of depression, more CIPN-sensory impairment, and a higher cumulative dose of chemotherapy.Conclusion: More than half of LC patients report impairment related to CIPN. This finding highlights the importance of treating these symptoms which significantly impair QoL. A holistic approach — including patient health education, dietary adjustment, nutritional supplements, aerobic exercise, and balance training — is needed to relieve the distressful peripheral neurological symptoms and emotional distress of CIPN during and after treatment for advanced LC.