Abstract

SAWADA, Namie Okino et al. Quality of life evaluation in cancer patients to submitted to chemotherapy. Rev. esc. enferm. USP [online]. 2009, vol.43, n.3, pp. 581-587. ISSN 0080-6234.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0080-62342009000300012.

This descriptive and cross-sectional study aimed to assess the Quality of Life (QoL) of cancer patients who were receiving chemotherapy. The instrument European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer - Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) was used for data collection. The sample consisted of 30 patients who signed the informed consent term. Data were analyzed in SPSS software. The QLQ-C30 showed that, for physical, cognitive and social functions, and role performance mean scores ranged from 71.26 to 75.12, demonstrating a satisfactory level. In the emotional function, the mean score was low (55.46). On the symptoms scales, there were a predominance of insomnia, with a mean score of 34.44, followed by pain 23.33 and fatigue 22.31. The QoL was satisfactory in all domains except for the emotional function, which scored low demonstrating that the collateral effects of chemotherapy exert a negative influence on patients' quality of life.

Keywords : Neoplasms; Drug therapy; Quality of life; Nursing care; Oncologic nursing.