Quality of life of patients from rural and urban areas in Poland with head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy. A study of the influence of selected socio-demographic factors

Abstract

IntroductionThe quality of life (QoL) experienced by cancer patients depends both on their state of health and on sociodemographic factors. Tumours in the head and neck region have a particularly adverse effect on patients psychologically and on their social functioning.Material and methodsThe study involved 121 patients receiving radiotherapy treatment for head and neck cancers. They included 72 urban and 49 rural residents. QoL was assessed using the questionnaires EORTC-QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H&N35. The data were analysed using statistical methods: a χ2 test for independence and a multinomial logit model.ResultsThe evaluation of QoL showed a strong, statistically significant, positive dependence on state of health, and a weak dependence on sociodemographic factors and place of residence. Evaluations of financial situation and living conditions were similar for rural and urban residents. Patients from urban areas had the greatest anxiety about deterioration of their state of health. Rural respondents were more often anxious about a worsening of their financial situation, and expressed a fear of loneliness.ConclusionsStudying the QoL of patients with head and neck cancer provides information concerning the areas in which the disease inhibits their lives, and the extent to which it does so. It indicates conditions for the adaptation of treatment and care methods in the healthcare system which might improve the QoL of such patients. A multinomial logit model identifies the factors determining the patients’ health assessment and defines the probable values of such assessment.

Nutrition intervention is beneficial to the quality of life of patients with gastrointestinal cancer undergoing chemotherapy in Vietnam

“…The result also revealed that patients from urban areas were less likely to have a higher QoL. This was similar to a previous study assessing the QoL of patients from rural and urban areas, which showed that those living in big cities and metropolises had more considerable anxiety about the deterioration of their well‐being, compared to those in rural communities 60 …”

“…This was similar to a previous study assessing the QoL of patients from rural and urban areas, which showed that those living in big cities and metropolises had more considerable anxiety about the deterioration of their well-being, compared to those in rural communities. 60 Our study suggests that an early individualized nutritional intervention during chemotherapy is feasible to improve the dietary intake as well as the QoL, especially among those prone to suffer from malnutrition and to report the worse QoL. High-protein intake should be recommended in order to enhance muscle mass and strengths, which positively affect the physical and role function and increase the overall QoL of cancer patients.…”

Quality of life related to foot health status in women with fibromyalgia: a case-control study

“…Second, although adequate validity and reliability have been shown for the FHSQ [12, 13, 22, 23], its reliability has not yet been established specifically for women who suffer from fibromyalgia and should be considered for future studies. Finally, quality of life could be modified according to socio-demographic factors such as the origin of women with fibromyalgia from rural or urban areas [39] as well as physical factors such as reduced bone mineral density [40].…”

The impact on health-related quality of life of mixed mental and physical multimorbidity in adults aged 60 years and older: secondary analysis of primary care data

“…QoL is an extensive and subjective construct [12] that "broadly encompasses how an individual measures the 'goodness' of multiple aspects of their life" [13]. The importance of studying healthrelated QoL in distinct health problems is widely recognized in previously published articles in this journal [14][15][16][17]. In old age this concept is even more important since it is commonly accepted that a shorter life with quality is better than a longer one without it [12].…”