Symptoms Burden, Quality of Life and Its Determinant Factors in Advanced Lung Cancer Patients

Aims: To assess in advanced lung cancer patients’, reported symptoms burden, their QOL, and to identify determinant factors associated with their QOL in 2 healthcare departments.

Study Design: A cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of the Study: The study was carried out during 03 months from February 1st to 30 April 2016 in the Pneumology department and an oncology unit from 2 different University Hospitals in Tunisia.

Methodolgy: We recruited 60 patients with advanced lung cancer by convenience sampling. QOL was assessed by the SF-36 questionnaire and Symptom’s burden by Lung Cancer Symptom Scale (LCSS).

Results: The mean LCSS score was 43.07 (SD, 21.45). Loss of appetite and fatigue were rated as the most severe symptoms. The mean overall score of SF36 was 39.3 (SD, 15.4). The physical and emotional limitations had the lowest scores.

Unemployment (p<0.014), smoking cessation after diagnosis (p<0.013), consumption of analgesic (p<0.002) and the indication of an analgesic radiotherapy (p<0.001) were revealed as independent determinants of QOL.

Conclusion: A built in support of lung cancer patients would better control the symptoms and promote their QOL.