Quality of Life among Older Adult Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy in the Tertiary Referral Hospital of Bangkok, Thailand

The incidence of cancer among the age group of 55 years and above was very high compared to other age groups and tends to rise with age. The quality of life is necessary for deploying on the predictions and forecasts in the lives of patients with cancer. This study aims to explore the quality of life (QOL) and its factors associated among older adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in the tertiary referral hospital of Bangkok, Thailand.

A cross-sectional study was conducted at the outpatient chemotherapy centre of King Chulalongkorn Memorial hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. A total of 105 older adult cancer patients aged 55 years old and over diagnosed with colon cancer, lung cancer, and/or breast cancer and received the chemotherapy treatment were interviewed after obtaining the informed consent. A validated, reliable Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy General (FACT-G) Thai version tool was used to measure the quality of life. The chi square test was performed to find association of the variable with QOL scores.

The mean score of the quality of life (total QOL) in the elderly participants was found 44.41±7.95 which was at the moderate level. There was no relationship between the QOL and variables such as age, gender, marital status, educational levels, occupation and chronic diseases. Furthermore, no correlation was found between QOL and the types of cancer and the pain levels among older adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

The intervention and program to improve QOL should encourage to be organized in all hospitals including clinics, public or private hospitals and furthermore promoted among their patients along with the chemotherapy and regular treatment.