Quality of life and Its Determinants among Cervical Cancer Patients in South India

Cervical Cancer is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in India. It affects the patient's, physical and psychological state which results in lower quality of life (QoL). Women with cervical cancer may require counselling and time to enable them to deal with the disease and its treatment. The present study aimed to determine the quality of life and its determinants among cervical cancer patients.

A cross-sectional study was undertaken from April 2017 to September 2017 in a regional cancer centre in South India. Cervical cancer patients (N= 210) with histological confirmation were interviewed at the hospital. European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) questionnaire core module, QLQ-C30 Version 3.0, and recommended scoring algorithm were used to measure and analyse QoL. The Association of socio-economic determinants on quality of life was evaluated using multiple logistic regression.

Among 210 cervical cancer patients enrolled, the majority 106 (50.5%) of women were between the age group 46 to 59 years and most, i.e.  167(63.0%) were not literate. The median score in the global health status was 50.0[IQR 33.3 - 66.7], 66.7[IQR 60.0 - 80.0] in physical functioning, and 83.3[IQR 66.7 - 83.3] in pain symptoms respectively which were poor compared to reference score of EORTC for all normal females and those with any cancer. The factors which were significantly associated with the GHS QoL score were the advanced stage of disease (OR:2.1, 95%CI: 1.1 - 3.9) and the age of the patients ≥60 years compared with ≤ 45 years (OR:18.4, 95%CI: 6.8 - 50.1).

Cervical cancer patients had poor global health status compared to the reference score for all females with any cancer and the normal females. Advanced stage of cancer and older age have a significant association with QoL.