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PREDICTORS OF QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG PATIENTS WITH MALIGNANT GYNAECOLOGIC DISEASE

Lubica Banovcinova

Abstract

Background: For cancer patients, all aspects of life are influenced negatively. Several factors associated with QOL dimensions, such as age, fatigue, depression, anxiety, perceived social support have been identified. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine demographic and psychosocial factors (anxiety, depression, social support, mastery) and their influence on the quality of life (QOL) among gynaecologic cancer patients. Methods: 211 gynaecologic cancer patients (cervix, endometrium – 115; breasts – 52; ovaria – 44) were included in study (mean age 54.34; SD=12.33). Beck anxiety inventory, Zung self-rating depressions scale, Pearlin’s mastery scale, The multidimensional scale of perceived social support and EORTC QoL C30 questionnaire were used. Descriptive statistic and linear regression models were employed. Results: The respondents reported symptoms of mild and severe anxiety (28,2%; 23%) and depression (20,9%; 9,5%). After controlling for the effect of age, education and marital status; the quality of life was predicted by anxiety ?=-0,32(-0,98;-0,29), and depressive symptoms ?=-0,24 (-0,80;-0,05), total explained variance was 31%. Other variables (age, education, marital status, mastery, perceived social support) did not display any predictive influence on patients? quality of life. Conclusions: In our study, anxiety and depression were significant predictors of quality of life. The high incidence of anxiety and depressive symptoms points to the need for therapeutic intervention (psychologist, psychiatrist), especially in the process of maintaining the coping resources of cancer patients and improving their QOL.

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DOI resolver: doi.org/10.5593/sgemsocial2014/B11/S1.040

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