The effect of comprehensive intervention on the quality of life of esophageal cancer patients treated with radiotherapy

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Objective To discuss the effect of comprehensive intervention on the quality of life of esophageal cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. Methods 100 patients with esophageal carcinoma treated with radiotherapy for the first timewere selected between October 2012 and December 2014 in Nantong Tumor Hospital in Jiangsu Province and randomly divided into control group and observation group(n=50 in each group) with a random number table. In the control group, routine dietary instruction, fluid infusion support and symptomatic intervention were used; comprehensive intervention was added in the observation group.Scores of core quality of life questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and nutritional indexesbefore and after radiotherapy in the two groups were compared. Results There were no statistically significant differences in QLQ-C30 scores and nutritional indexes between the two groups before radiotherapy (all P>0.05). After radiotherapy, the physical [(75.6±13.1)vs. (63.8±12.4)]and emotional function[(61.9±14.3) vs. (52.5±13.7)], fatigue[(36.6±13.2) vs. (45.8±15.0)], pain[(34.8±16.1) vs. (44.3±17.0)], insomnia[(49.2±15.7) vs. (57.2±14.3)], loss of appetite[(50.2±16.2) vs. (59.0±15.8)], nausea and vomiting [(21.5±10.3) vs. (29.9±11.3)], general health status[(68.8±13.4) vs. (58.2±12.8)] inthe observation group were significantly better than in the control group (all P<0.05). Innutritional status, body weight[(59.3±8.5)kg vs. (54.4±7.3)kg], body mass index[(21.9±2.1)kg/m2vs. (18.4±2.8)kg/m2], hemoglobin[(125.9±8.9)g/L vs. (107.3±9.5)g/L], albumin[(35.1±6.9)g/L vs.(29.0±5.3)g/L], and prealbumin[(213.54±37.47)mg/L vs. (174.56±36.26)mg/L]in the observation group were all higher than thosein the control group after radiotherapy (all P<0.01). Conclusion Comprehensive intervention for esophageal cancer patients receiving radiotherapymay improve nutritional status, reduce esophagitis, thirsty, fatigue, loss of appetite and other symptoms, improve the quality of life, ensure the completion of radiotherapy. Key words: Esophageal neoplasms; Radiotherapy; Esophagitis; Quality of life; Comprehensive intervention