Quality of life in patients with advanced cancer according to place of care in a referral hospital.

Calidad de vida en pacientes con cáncer avanzado según lugar de atención en un hospital de referencia.

Abstract

Introduction: In Peru more than 50% of cancer cases are diagnosed late and their quality of life is poorly studied.

Objectives: To compare the quality of life perceived by patients with advanced cancer in a referral hospital according to home care versus hospital care.

Material and methods: Observational study carried out in a tertiary social security hospital. Patients older than 18 years with cancer with multiple metastases were included. EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL quality of life survey was applied to patients with adequate cognitive level (according to the Pfeiffer questionnaire). Using Chi square and Mann-Whitney tests, considering p <0.05 and using SPSS 24.0. Previous approval of the institutional ethics committee.

Results: 83 patients were included in the hospital group (GH) and 69 in the home group (GD). Age ranged from 30 to 94 years, with a median of 66 years in the GH and 76 in the GD (p <0.01); female sex 56.6 and 60.9% respectively (p = 0.60). The most frequent locations of cancer were digestive, genitourinary, and respiratory in both groups (p = 0.68). 25% of GH and 58% of GD had moderate or severe cognitive impairment (p <0.01). The median quality of life score was 49.5 in the GH and 48 in the GD (p = 0.60), the physical functional aspect had a lower score in GH (p <0.01).

Conclusion: The perceived quality of life is acceptable, with intermediate control of symptoms in both groups and better physical functionality in the hospital group; however, the home group are older and have cognitive impairment.