Understanding quality of life's challenges in sarcoma patients: A mixed-methods study

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2024

Authors

Almeida, AM (Author) Other; Lígia Lima (Author) ESEP; Martins, T (Author) Other

Journal

Title: European Journal of Oncology Nursing

Vol. 70

ISSN: 1462-3889

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 2 Citations

Scopus - 2 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-010-AKA

DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2024.102585

Abstract (EN): Purpose: Sarcoma, a highly aggressive form of cancer, profoundly affects patients both physically and psychologically. This study aimed to assess sarcoma patients' health-related quality of life and explore their experiences of living with the disease and their specific care requirements. Methods: This research employed a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. Fifty-two sarcoma patients completed the European Portuguese version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire, and seven of them participated in semi-structured interviews. Descriptive measures, Cronbach alpha for internal consistency, t-testeAnova and stepwise regression were employed in the quantitative analysis. Qualitative data was analysed thematically. Results: The most affected Quality of life (QoL) dimensions were role functioning and global health, areas of functioning that were also described as impacted in patients' experiences. Symptoms like insomnia, pain, and fatigue were frequently reported. Symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and financial difficulty explain QoL variance. No significant differences in QoL were found according to the different forms of treatment. Analysis of the interviews revealed three overarching themes: (1) disruption of daily life, (2) adaptation to life with sarcoma, and (3) the demand for more personalized care, allowing to gain a deeper understanding of living with sarcoma. Conclusion: The results underscore the significance of delivering care that enhances the quality of life for sarcoma patients, addressing both their physical and psychosocial needs, and providing personalized support throughout all stages of the disease.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8