Wagland, Richardson A, Ewings S, Armes J, Lennan E, Hankins M, Griffiths P.
Support Care Cancer. 2016 Dec;24(12):4901-4911.
This study surveyed the prevalence of 17 problems whilst undergoing chemotherapy and people’s experiences of supportive care in 363 patients from six cancer centres in the UK. The EQ5D measure was also used. The response rate was 43%. The most common problem was tiredness/fatigue with 90% responders. Over 50% reported changes in sense of taste, difficulty managing everyday tasks, trouble sleeping, constipation, low mood, feeling sick, anxious, loss of appetite and unable to concentrate/forgetful. In a multivariate model, difficulty with everyday tasks and work was significantly associated with health-related quality of life. Patients experienced less severe problems if they received supportive care; over a fifth stated that they never received support for emotional and social problems.
Composed by Elaine Boland.