Impact of diabetes mellitus on quality of life in patients with breast cancer

Abstract

Objective To investigate the impact of diabetes on quality of life in breast cancer patients. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 3 344 community patients suffering from breast cancer during April to July 2013, in Shanghai. Data were collected using a questionnaire, which included socio-demographic situation, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer, as well as diabetes mellitus. European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QOL Questionnaire-C30(EORTC QLQ-C30)Simplified Chinese Version and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy(FACT-G)Simplified Chinese Version were used to investigate the quality of life in the patients. The quality of life scores in breast cancer patients with and without diabetes were compared. Results The prevalence of diabetes was 14.38% in the patients with breast cancer. Breast cancer patients without diabetes reported significantly higher EORTC QLQ-C30 scores in physical functioning, role functioning, cognitive functioning, emotional functioning, social functioning, global health, lower EORTC QLQ-C30 scores in fatigue, pain, dyspnoea, insomnia, appetite loss, constipation, diarrhoea, and higher FACT-G scores in physical well-being, social/family well-being, emotional well-being, functional well-being, compared with the patients with diabetes(P<0.05). Conclusions Diabetes mellitus affects the quality of life in patients with breast cancer. Integrated measures for chronic disease management should be taken to improve the quality of life in patients with breast cancer as well as diabetes mellitus. (Chin J Endocrinol Metab, 2015, 31: 43-46) Key words: Diabetes; Breast cancer; Quality of life