Development of health-related quality of life and symptoms in patients with advanced cancer in Greenland

• Published in: European Journal of Cancer Care
• Main Authors: Augustussen, M, Pedersen, M L, Hounsgaard, L, Timm, H, Sjøgren, P
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: Journal Article; remote areas; symptom management; prospective study; health-related quality of life; palliative care; Prospective Studies; Humans; Middle Aged; Male; Young Adult; Neoplasms/psychology; Quality of Life; Adult; Female; Aged; Social Adjustment; Health Status; Longitudinal Studies; Greenland; Nuuk
• Online Access: https://portal.findresearcher.sdu.dk/da/publications/19c27dec-23af-4024-8098-82e393ded2f9; https://doi.org/10.1111/ecc.12843; https://findresearcher.sdu.dk/ws/files/141056382/Development_of_health_related_quality_of_life_and_symptoms_in_patients_with_advanced_cancer_in_Greenland.pdf

A prospective national cohort study assessed the development of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and symptoms in adult patients undergoing treatment and care for advanced cancer in Greenland. HRQol was examined by EORTC QLQ-C30 version 3.0 questionnaire monthly for 4 months. Changes over time and between-group comparisons were examined. Of 58 patients included in the study, 47% completed the questionnaire four times. Functioning was generally high, and improved social functioning was observed after 1 and 2 months. The highest symptom score was for fatigue followed by pain and nausea/vomiting. A high score for financial problems remained unchanged during the entire period. Patients with higher income had reduced pain intensity (p = .03) and diarrhoea (p = .05) than patients with income below the poverty line. After 1 month, reduction in pain intensity was observed for Nuuk citizens compared with non-Nuuk citizens (p = .05). After 2 months, non-Nuuk citizens reported improved social functioning compared with Nuuk citizens (p = .05). After 3 months, Global Health in Nuuk citizens was improved compared with non-Nuuk citizens (p = .05). An important clinical finding was that patients' needs for support are related to social status, and geographical factors should be taken into account when planning palliative care.