Purpose: Few studies have been conducted to elucidate the health-related quality of life(HR-QOL)of cancer outpatients treated with chemotherapy. In this study, we attempted to determine the physical and psychological distress of cancer outpatients treated with chemotherapy.
Methods: Two-hundred and ninety-six outpatients with various malignancies, including malignant lymphoma, and esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, colon, lung, breast, ovarian, uterine and skin cancers, were investigated using the Japanese version of the M. D. Anderson symptom inventory from March through June 2010 in Tokyo Medical University Hospital.
Results: The results of the survey questionnaire indicated that 59 patients suffered from fatigue, 56 experienced numbness or tingling, 48 felt drowsy, 39 had low moods, 40 felt distressed, 38 had no appetite, 38 had dry mouth, 37 were in pain, 37 had disturbed sleep, 31 had shortness of breath, 24 had nausea, 17 suffered from vomiting, and 13 patients had memory problems. Furthermore, these symptoms interfered with work(65 patients), walking(56 patients), mood(52 patients), life enjoyment(49 patients), general activity(49 patients), and relationships with other people(42 patients). Medications prescribed for HR-QOL control were non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(93 patients), morphine(32 patients), and adjuvant analgesics(47 patients).
Conclusion: The present findings may help in the development of management strategies for physical and psychological distress, and improve HR-QOL of cancer outpatients treated with chemotherapy.