Cross Sectional Assessment of Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) among Patients with Cancer in Malaysia

Background: Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is an important aspect in identifying cancer patients’perceptions of being diagnosed with cancer and the assessment of treatment outcomes. The present studyaimedto assess the profile and predicators of HRQoL of Malaysian oncology patients. Materials and
Methods:A cross sectional study adopting the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality ofLife Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) was conducted. All cancer patients attending Penang General Hospitalbetween August–November 2011 were approached. Descriptive statistics were used to assess demographic anddisease related characteristics of the patients. All analyses were performed using SPSS v 16.0.
Results: Threehundred and ninety three cancer patients met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. The meanage was 53.9 (SD±13) years. The cohort was dominated by females (n=260, 66.2%). Nearly half (n=190, 48.3%)of the participants were of Malay ethnicity, practicing Islam as their religion (n=194, 494%). Two hundred andninety six (n=296, 75.3%) had beene diagnosed with cancer within six months to 3 years previously. The mostcommon primary cancer site was breast (n=143, 36.4%). The mean Global Health Status (GHS) score was 60.7(SD=21.3). Females (mean GHS score of 62.3, p=0.035) with Malay ethnicity (mean GHS score of 63.8, p=0.047),practicing Islam as their religion (mean GHS score of 63.0, p=0.011) had better GHS scores. Patients havingmedical insurance had good scores (mean 65.6, p-0.021). Marital status was significantly associated with GHSscores (p=0.022). Bone cancer patientshad the lowest mean GHS score of 49.2 (p=0.044). Patients at very advancedstages of cancer featured a low GHS mean score of 52.2 (p<0.001).
Conclusions: The present study identified many demographic and disease related factors which may contribute to the HRQoL of cancer patients, pointingto the necessity for improved management of disease symptoms and provision of psychological and financialsupport.