Influence of Socio-demographic and Clinical Characteristics on Quality of Life in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer among Indian Population

Quality of life (QOL) has been widely used as an adjunct to traditional endpoints of survival in patients with cancer. It is equally crucial to identify the determinants of QOL in such patients especially in a diverse country like India. In a prospective study on quality of life and its relationship with socio-demographic and clinical characteristics among 120 patients with head and neck cancer in India, we found that socio-economic status of patients and had a major impact on their quality of life. Patients from rural areas (P = 0.01), with monthly income less than Rs. 3000 (P = 0.01) and those working as unskilled labourers (P = 0.02) had significantly lower quality of life scores than others. While this is not surprising, these differences in quality of life are deeply disturbing. This data is published as an indicator of the discrepancy that exists and the impact of the illness on socio-economically disadvantaged survivors.

The occurrence of oral cancers in India is one of the highest in the world. They account for one-fourth of male and one-tenth of female cancers in India. The present study also revealed that patients with cancers of oro-pharynx and oral cavity (P = 0.04) and those undergoing treatment for head and neck cancer (P < 0.001) had the worst QOL. This study, therefore, is an aempt to sensitise policy makers and health care providers to address the challenges faced by the head and neck cancer patients in India.