Quality of life and its association with anxiety, depression, and clinical factors among patients with metastatic cancer attending oncology centers in Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background Enhancing quality of life (QoL) is the primary aim of palliative care and a key endpoint in oncology research. Objective This study aimed to assess the QoL and its association with anxiety, depression, and clinical factors among patients with metastatic cancer attending oncology centers in Northwest Ethiopia. Design A cross-sectional study was conducted among 290 cancer patients with metastasis who were receiving treatment at oncologic centers in Northwest Ethiopia from August to October 2023. Methods Study participants were enrolled using the consecutive sampling method. QoL was measured using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale – Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the determinants of QoL. Variables with a P-value < 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval were considered statistically significant. Results In this study, the mean scores for physical health, psychological health, social relationships, environmental health, and overall QoL were 26.74±10.09, 30.46±12.03, 34.48±13.97, 37.64±14.06, and 31.17±6.51, respectively. The overall QoL had a negative significant association with poor performance status (β = -2.52; 95% CI: -4.35, -0.69), presence of comorbidity (β = -2.46; 95% CI: -4.03, -0.90), depression (β = -3.17; 95% CI: -4.76, -1.59), anxiety (β = -1.99; 95% CI: -3.38, -0.47), and poor social support (β = -2.52; 95% CI: -4.43, -0.61). Conclusion The physical health domain of QoL had the lowest mean score. Poor performance status, the presence of comorbidity, depression, anxiety, and poor social support were the determinants of overall QoL. Hence, it is essential to focus on treatments that enhance physical health, improve poor performance status, manage comorbidities, alleviate depression and anxiety, and strengthen social support.