The Factors Influencing Quality of Life Among Patients With Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancers

Abstract

Background:

Maintaining a good quality of life improves treatment outcomes and overall survival rate among patients with hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers. However, known factors influencing the quality of life are fragmented and require a comprehensive investigation of influencing factors to improve the quality of life among patients with hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers during treatment periods.

Objective:

We aimed to comprehensively identify the factors influencing the quality of life among patients with hepatobiliary or pancreatic cancer during illness and treatment periods.

Methods:

Patients with hepatobiliary or pancreatic cancer were recruited from a university hospital between September 2022 and November 2023. Along with collecting medical and treatment information, pain, depression and anxiety, and quality of life were assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy–General Scale, respectively. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing the quality of life using SPSS 26.0.

Results:

Among the 204 participants, 141 (69.1%) were male and 141 (69.1%) were diagnosed with hepatobiliary cancers. The mean (±SD) age was 66.7 ± 8.5, and the mean quality of life was 72.5 ± 15.8. Depression, anxiety, pain, and serum albumin significantly influenced the quality of life, which explained 67.8% of the variance.

Conclusions:

To improve the quality of life of patients with hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers, we suggest providing appropriate psychosocial support, pain control, and nutritional management during the cancer treatment.