DOI: 10.4103/jcls.jcls_206_25 ISSN: 2468-6859

Assessment of analgesic utilization and quality of life in cancer patients: A cross-sectional survey

Abdulwasiu Adeniyi Busari, Ifedolapo Adesola Adejumo, Sikiru Olatunji Usman, Oludaisi Adesina Oduniyi, Saliu Adejumobi Balogun, Kazeem Adeola Oshikoya, Sunday Oluwafemi Olayemi
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ABSTRACT

Background:

To date, limited data exist on analgesic utilization and its association with quality of life (QoL) among oncology patients. This study aims to assess the association between pain, analgesic use, and QoL of cancer patients.

Methods:

A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 408 cancer patients attending the outpatient oncology clinic at Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Sociodemographic data, types of cancer, types of treatment, analgesic utilization, description, and severity of pain were obtained using a well-structured self-designed proforma. QoL was assessed using the WHOQoL-BREF questionnaire. Regression analysis estimated the association between pain and QoL in an unadjusted/adjusted analysis.

Results:

The most common cancer in the female and male populations was breast cancer (51.7%, n = 218) and prostate cancer (5.9%, n = 25), respectively. The prevalence of analgesic utilization was 89.9%. The majority (70.1%, n = 286) of the participants had moderate-to-severe pain scores. Fifty-eight percent ( n = 236) of participants had satisfactory health. QoL was rated as poor/very poor in 17% ( n = 68). Compared to cancer patients with no to mild pain, those with moderate-to-severe pain had poorer QoL (odds ratio [OR] =0.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.04, 0.33). This relationship remained significant after adjusting for other covariates, including analgesic use (OR = 0.10, 95% CI: 0.03–0.29).

Conclusion:

A high prevalence of moderate to severe pain was observed among cancer patients, negatively affecting their QoL. Interestingly, this association was independent of analgesic use, suggesting that other pain management strategies are warranted to improve QoL.

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