Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant psychological symptoms, especially in cancer patients who are at higher risk for infections.
The objective of the study was to assess the quality of life (QoL) and mental health in cancer patients during COVID-19 pandemic.
Material and methods. A single centre, cross sectional observational study was conducted in the Medical and Radiation Oncology Departments of a tertiary care hospital. Cancer patients who underwent radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy during COVID-19 lockdown period were retrospectively interviewed in person or through telephonic conversations to assess their health-related quality of life (HRQoL), depression, and anxiety status using validated questionnaires (EORTC QLQC-30, HAM-D and CAS scales, respectively).
Results. A total of 354 patients were interviewed, of whom 146 (41.2%) were male patients and 208 (58.8%) were female patients. The age range of the study participants was 18 to 83 years, with an average age of 52.7 years. Most patients had completed high school (92, 26.2%), their house hold income ranged between 2641-7886 Rs/Month (143, 40.7%) and they belonged to the “upper lower” socio-economic class (234, 66.7%). Depression and anxiety were significantly associated with HRQoL (OR: 1.22; 95%CI: 1.04-1.40;p= 0.001) and (OR: 0.53; 95 %CI: 0.08-0.98; p= 0.02).
Conclusions. The study identified that COVID-19 had no impact on the HRQoL of cancer patients who had undergone radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy during the pandemic. The depression caused by cancer and the adverse effects of the chemo and radiation therapy had significantly affected their QoL, especially their physical, functional, and mental health.
Keywords: quality of life, depression, anxiety, cancer, COVID-19 pandemic.
Full text sources https://doi.org/10.31688/ABMU.2024.59.4.07
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Address for correspondence:
Vanitha Rani NAGASUBRAMANIAN
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education Research, (Deemed to be University), Porur, Chennai-600116, India
Email: drnvanitharani2020@gmail.com
Ranakishor PELLURI
Department of Pharmacy, KL College of Pharmacy, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Vaddeswaram, Guntur-522302, India
Email: ranampharm@gmail.com
