Quality of life and associated factors among patients with breast cancer under chemotherapy at Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundBreast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in Ethiopia with increasing burden, and chemotherapy treatment produces a detrimental effect on individual wellbeing. Since last few years quality of life has been the primary goal of cancer treatment, yet little research has been conducted on quality of life of breast cancer patients under chemotherapy.ObjectiveTo determine the quality of life and associated factors among patients with breast cancer under chemotherapy at Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.MethodsInstitution based cross-sectional study was conducted on 404 patients with breast cancer, who took at least one cycle of chemotherapy treatment using face to face interview at oncology unit of Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital day care center from February to April 2018. The validated Amharic version of European organization for research and treatment of cancer core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and quality of life questionnaire specific to breast (QLQ-BR23) was used to measure health related quality of life. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used. For the purpose of interpretation quality of life score was dichotomized in to two using the calculated mean score, which is 53 as a cutoff point, then, bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression was used to describe association between dependent and independent variables. Hence, patients who score above 53 for quality of life were considered to have good quality of life.ResultOf the total sample, overall response rate was 99.77%. The average quality of life score of patients with breast cancer under chemotherapy treatment was 52.98 (SD = 25.61). Majority of patients had scored poor in emotional functioning, sexual functioning, and financial difficulties. Educational status of college and above, being divorced, higher household income, higher scores of physical and social functioning were associated with significantly improved (better) quality of life. Lower scores of fatigue, insomnia, financial difficulties and systemic therapy side effects all were associated with better scores of quality of life of breast cancer patients. Whereas, patients receiving < = 2 cycles of chemotherapy had significantly lower scores of quality of life.Conclusion and recommendationQuality of life of breast cancer patients under chemotherapy treatment is poor in comparison with the reference data and international findings. Therefore, quality of life assessment should be incorporated in patient’s treatment protocol. And financial aids may significantly improve the quality of life of breast cancer patients under chemotherapy treatment.

<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.…”

Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Patients in Amhara Region, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…This study showed that the QoL is higher than the EORTC QLQ-C30 reference value 61. [19,20,22,24,31]. The study participants were different in Malaysian; chronic illness patients were included, in Morocco; received treatment for more than 3 months and severe neuropsychiatric disorders patients were excluded.…”

“…However, studies show that; higher household income [23], older than 55 years of age, post-menopausal, stage I malignancy, patients who have completed treatment, and patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery were more likely to have a better QoL [24]. In a study in Black Lion hospital, educational status of college and above had good QoL than patients with no formal education, and divorced mothers were more likely to have good QoL than singles marital status [19].…”

“…The most common systematic chemotherapeutic side effects; nausea, and vomiting, followed by fatigue [14,17], which can be emotionally distressing and debilitating which in turn may affect their QoL. Women receiving chemotherapy and took more than three cycles of chemotherapy had lower QoL [18,19].…”

“…Even though in Ethiopia breast cancer is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among women, few published studies have been conducted so far on the QoL in breast cancer patients [19]. It is important to include patients in various treatment categories; surgery, chemotherapy, and post-treatment follow-up, it gives broad pictures of the issue of the QoL.…”