Quality of life of palliative care cancer patients during COVID-19 lockdown phase

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus pandemic in 2019 led India to implement a complete lockdown except for essential services. Cancer patients faced hindrances in seeking medical help. This caused stress and worry, leading to reduced quality of life (QoL). This study evaluated QoL and pain management in palliative care cancer patients during the lockdown. Patients and Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study at a tertiary cancer hospital, over one month period with convenience sampling. Participants included all who were unable to visit the palliative outpatient department during the lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. They were contacted telephonically and a valid QoL questionnaire was filled out. Disease, demographic details and pain were assessed. Result(s): A total of 51 were interviewed, 45% (n = 23) patients reported difficult access to medication during the lockdown;18 (35.3%) required morphine to alleviate pain and 6 (33.33%) faced difficulty in acquiring morphine tablets. QoL scores did not differ based on access to morphine (p = 0.648). Mean QoL scores were 12.7 +/- 3.76 and 15.0 +/- 3.60 amongst patients who did not have access to other medications and those who did have access, respectively (p = 0.03). Overall QoL FACT G7 mean score was 14 +/- 3.8. The variables NRS (pain intensity) and QoL scores were found to be negatively correlated (Pearson's Correlation Coefficient: r (49) = -0.69, p < 0.00001). Conclusion(s): Evaluation of QoL of palliative care cancer patients during global crises plays an important role in the assessment of patients' overall condition as well as to maintain a continuum of care.Copyright © Via Medica.