Symptoms, performance status and quality of life in cancer patients receiving palliative care

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to describe the symptoms experienced by cancer patients receiving palliative care, patients’ performance and the effects on their quality of life. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive study and was conducted with 106 patients admitted to palliative care unit at a university hospital in Izmir, located in the west of Turkey, between December 2019 and April 2020. For data collection, Patient Information Form, “Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status Scale”, “Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS)” and “Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Palliative Care (FACIT-Pal) Scale” were applied. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Kruskall Wallis Analysis and linear regression analysis were used. Results: Patients reported that the most common symptoms experienced were fatigue, sense of being unwell, anxiety, sadness (depression) and pain. According to the regression analysis, there was a statistically significant difference between the total quality of life scores of the patients and pain, fatigue and nausea from the patients' ESAS symptoms. The quality of life scores were significantly lower in the patients who were hospitalized, had an advanced disease stage, did not have metastases or did not know their metastases status and had a low performance status ECOG. There was a statistically significant difference between patients' ECOG performance status and quality of life. Conclusion: Patients have multiple symptoms and poor quality of life. Our findings support the importance of symptom assessment and management to improve quality of life.