Health-related quality of life among cervical cancer patients in India

Abstract

IntroductionEstimation of health-related quality of life of cervical cancer patients in India is important in assessing the well-being of patients, monitor treatment outcomes, and conduct health technology assessments. However, health-related quality of life estimates for different stages of cervical cancer are not available for the Indian population. This study aims to generate stage-specific quality of life scores for cervical cancer patients in India.MethodsA cross-sectional study using the EQ-5D (EuroQol 5-dimensions) instrument, that consists of the EQ-5D-5L descriptive system and the EuroQol Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS) was conducted. A total of 159 cervical cancer patients were interviewed. Mean EQ-5D-5L quality of life scores (utility scores) were calculated using the EQ-5D-5L index value calculator across different stages of cervical cancer. The proportion of patients reporting problems in different attributes of EQ-5D-5L was assessed. The impact of socio-economic determinants on health-related quality of life was evaluated using multiple linear regression.ResultsThe mean EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS utility scores among patients of cervical cancer were 0.64 [95% CI=0.61–0.67] and 67.6 [95% CI=65.17–70.03], respectively. The most frequently reported problem among cervical cancer patients was pain/discomfort (61.88%), followed by difficulty in performing usual activities (53.81%), and anxiety/depression (41.26%).ConclusionCervical cancer significantly impacts the health-related quality of life of the patients in India. Clinical interventions should focus on the control of pain and relief of anxiety. The measurement of health-related quality of life should be an integral component of the effectiveness of interventions as well as health technology assessment.