Health-related quality of life, psychological issues and concerns among sarcoma survivors: a mixed method study

Abstract

Purpose: We aimed to explore the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), psychological issues and concerns among sarcoma survivors in India and assess their satisfaction with nursing care. Methods: This study employed a sequential mixed-methods design, enrolling 100 sarcoma survivors from July to December 2021, with data collected using standardised questionnaires for HRQoL, depression, anxiety, stress, cognitive impairment and self-structured satisfaction with nursing care. Qualitative data were gathered through focused group discussions. Results: The mean global health score among sarcoma survivors was 79.48 ± 16.26. A significant number of survivors had symptoms of mild-to-moderate depression (30%), severe anxiety (12%), stress (16%) and mild cognitive impairment (5%). Significant mean rank differences were observed between anxiety and financial difficulty ( p < 0.05), emotional functioning ( p < 0.001), cognitive functioning ( p < 0.001), pain (<0.05), insomnia ( p < 0.001), fatigue ( p < 0.001), anorexia ( p < 0.05) and nausea/vomiting ( p < 0.001).