The relationship between quality of life and self-care agency in chemotherapy treated lung cancer patients

The Relationship between Quality Of Life and Self-Care Agency in Chemotherapy Treated Lung Cancer Patients

Aim:  to evaluate the relation between self-care agency and quality of life in chemotherapy treated lung cancer patients.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study conducted in Dr Suat Seren Chest Diseases and Chest Surgery and Research Hospital, Izmir between 1st of January 2006 and 2007. The population of the study is 84 chemotherapy treated lung cancer patients.

The data was collected by using, Self-Care Agency scale, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer care Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ)-C30, the supplemental lung cancer-specific module QLQ-LC13 and visual analog scale. Student T-Test, Mann-Whitney-U test and Pearson correlation were used to evaluate the data.

Results:

72.6 % male, 66.7 % primary level educated, 28.6 % workers, all married. 14.3 % of the patients had no social insurance, 9.5% are current smokers while 76.2% are ex-smokers.

56 patients (66.7%) have nonsmall cell carcinoma. 46.4% are metastatic carcinoma.   Small cell carcinoma patients had scores suggesting they are better in role functioning, emotional functioning, cognitive functioning.

The cases whose chemotherapy consisted of three or more cycles have better role functioning. The patients who believe that they will be cured totally have better emotional functioning and global QOL.

To be diagnosed three and more than three months ago worsened emotional functioning. We found the quality of life is better in males, high educated, small carcinoma, having less duration of disease and  self-care agency is higher in high educated.

Conclusion:

The comparison of self-care agency and items of quality of life suggested there is a positive relation between self-care agency and role functioning, physical functioning, social functioning.

To reinforce self-care agency can improve the quality of life. For making this personal and social activities should plan.