Quality of Life of Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Cancer is the third leading cause of death in Iran. Gastrointestinal cancers are one of the most common cancers associated with high mortality and disability in patients. Since cancer and its treatment process strongly influence health and quality of life, the present study was conducted to evaluate the quality of life of patients with gastrointestinal cancer undergoing chemotherapy in hospitals in Zahedan. In this descriptive study, 90 patients with gastrointestinal cancer were selected based on inclusion criteria using the convenience sampling method. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) was completed by patients. Data were analyzed in SPSS software version 21.

Most patients had a mean age of ( 48.58 ± 13.73) years. Most patients were male, married, unemployed and illiterate or illiterate. Most patients in this study had colorectal cancer. Based on the findings of this study, the global health/quality of life was evaluated as 40.27 ±22.7. At the functional scales, the lowest mean was related to social functioning, and the best domain was related to cognitive functioning. In the study of symptom scales/items, the most severe symptoms included as follows: financial difficulties, appetite loss, nausea and vomiting, pain, fatigue, insomnia, constipation, dyspnea, and diarrhea. The results of the present study showed that patients' scores were lower on functional scales, and the severity of cancer symptoms and treatments was more severe than most studies in other countries and even in Iran. The low quality of life index in Sistan and Baluchestan province compared to other provinces, lack of beds in oncology wards, and hospitalization of patients in general wards are some factors that can affect patients' quality of life. It is recommended that professional oncology nurses take care of these patients, even in general wards.