Risk factors of inability to live independently in the course of lung cancer

Abstract Introduction A number of articles focus on functioning with lung cancer. However, there are no articles on factors which result in the inability to live independently in the course of this disease. This study assesses risk factors regarding the inability to live independently among individuals with lung cancer. Materials and Methods This study included 134 patients who displayed interest in obtaining a certificate of the inability to live independently. Results Over the study period, 75% of the patients obtained the certificate of inability to live independently (group A) and 25% of them did not obtain the certificate (group B). In group A, 56.4% of individuals were men, and in group B, 42.4% of them were men. In group A, 11.8% of patients were diagnosed with small cell lung cancer; no such case was found in group B. Metastases were revealed in 83.2% of patients from group A and in 57.6% from group B. Patients from group A had a significantly lower score in the Barthel Index for Activities of Daily Living and lower body mass index compared with those from group B. Conclusions Information on body mass index, histopathological diagnosis, and the presence of metastases is useful in assessing the risk of being unable to live independently in patients with lung cancer. The Barthel Index for Activities of Daily Living is helpful in assessing the inability to live independently.