Assessing the quality of life in patients undergoing external beam radiotherapy in Malta

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this research was to assess the quality of life of radical patients undergoing external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in Malta. The secondary aim was to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) scores of the radiotherapy patients and determine the main factors, if any, that affected the QoL scores of radiotherapy patients. Objectives To distribute a questionnaire to all radical patients who have completed radiotherapy treatment in Malta. The data collected was used to determine the patient’s QoL scores, as well as analyze whether these scores are associated with any demographic factors such as: age, gender, area of treatment, co-morbidities, and marital status. The research findings were compared to published literature; conclusions and recommendations that arose from the research findings were presented. Methodology A cross sectional, prospective, non-experimental, quantitative study was conducted amongst an accessible population of 24 radiotherapy patients. Non-probability convenience sampling was used in this study. The EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire was used to establish and assess QoL scores amongst radical radiotherapy patients who have completed EBRT. A pilot study was conducted in order to ensure feasibility of the study and that the radiotherapy patients who completed the questionnaire, were able to complete it in its entirety. A total of 24 patients completed the questionnaire. The data gathered from the questionnaires was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 28. Results Findings reported that approximately 12.5% of the sample population which were lung cancer patients (n=3), experienced a poor QoL score (µ=22.22) when completed EBRT. Lung patients reported a high level of symptomatology with an µ symptom score of 65.81. All scales used to measure the comprehensive QoL deteriorated with age which suggested that older subjects also reported more symptoms. A (p=0.057) negative correlation (Rs=-.711) related with both the global health status and symptom scores was identified. This supported the need for continual assessment of QoL scores amongst EBRT patients. Conclusions These findings highlight the need to assess patients QoL status when completed EBRT treatment to help target strategies to improve the functioning and global health status of patients. Thus, the QoL of cancer patients should be monitored actively during EBRT amongst the Maltese population and future studies should include larger scale samples amongst lung cancer patients.