Quality of Life for Hong Kong Chinese Patients with Advanced Gynecological Cancers in the Palliative phase of Care: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

This study investigated the quality of life (QOL) of Hong Kong Chinese patients with advanced gynecological cancers (AGC). A cross-sectional study was conducted with 53 consecutive patients with AGC who were admitted to a university-based palliative care unit. The assessment tools utilized were: the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire for Hong Kong Chinese (MQOL-HK); the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); the Palliative Performance Scale (PPS); and the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS), sexual relationships subscale. The mean total score of the MQOL-HK was 4.63 ± 1.94, within which the physical domain scored the worst (mean=3.99, SD=2.15, range: 0–7). Depression symptoms were common (62 percent). The median PPS was 40 percent. Younger age, higher HADS depression scores, and higher HADS anxiety scores were significantly correlated with poorer QOL. Furthermore, younger age and depression were significant predictors for a worse MQOL-HK score. In conclusion, Chinese patients with AGC have a relatively poor QOL, especially in the physical domain and in terms of depression symptoms. Age and depression symptoms are the most important factors affecting QOL. Proper identification of physical symptoms and depression symptoms, along with appropriate treatments, are important for improving QOL for patients.