Abstract

Objective: Surveying the pain status and quality of life of patients with late-stage cancer given palliative care at Thai Nguyen Oncology Center, from July 2016 September 2016.

Subject and Method: Using a descriptive cross-sectional study, there were 42 patients interviewed directly through two questionnaires on “the pain status” and “quality of life” of EORTC QLQ C-30”.

Results: There were 29 male patients and the ratio of males to females is2,1/1; average age 63,2 years; Kinh people accounting for 59,5%. There were 100% of patients with pain, including moderate and severe pain (from 6 to10 points) accounting for 54,8%. The analgesic efficacy was significantly different after 1 week of treatment. Global health status, functional points and single symptom points scored at average level were 51,8 points; 40,5 points (28,9 to 55,2) and from 28,6 to 81,7; respectively. After one week of treatment, point on quality of life was improved statistical significance; general health point increased to 58,5 points. The degree of pain affects on the quality of life in terms of function, cognition, emotion and general health. When comparing quality of life and other factors, there were differences in cognitive scores between men and women; Kinh group and ethnic minorities were different from operational functions, emotion and overall health; operational functioning and overall health of under 60 age group were better; and cancer location also makes physical function to differ significantly.

Conclusion: Status of moderate and severe pain was relatively high when patients were hospitalized; quality of life was at average level, however patients’ quality of life were significantly improved when patients were treated by analgesic ladder.