Health-related quality of life among cervical cancer patients in India.

Introduction Estimation of health-related quality of life of cervical cancer patients in India is important in assessing the well-being of patients, monitor treatment outcomes, and conduct health technology assessments. However, health-related quality of life estimates for different stages of cervical cancer are not available for the Indian population. This study aims to generate stagespecific quality of life scores for cervical cancer patients in India. Methods A cross-sectional study using the EQ-5D EuroQol 5-dimensions) instrument, that consists of the EQ-5D-5L descriptive system and the EuroQol Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS) was conducted. A total of 159 cervical cancer patients were interviewed. Mean EQ-5D-5L quality of life scores (utility scores) were calculated using the EQ-5D-5L index value calculator across different stages of cervical cancer. The proportion of patients reporting problems in different attributes of EQ-5D-5L was assessed. The impact of socio-economic determinants on health-related quality of life was evaluated using multiple linear regression. Results The mean EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS utility scores among patients of cervical cancer were 0.64 95% CI=0.61--0.67] and 67.6 [95% CI=65.17--70.03], respectively. The most frequently reported problem among cervical cancer patients was pain/discomfort (61.88%), followed by difficulty in performing usual activities 53.81%), and anxiety/depression (41.26%). Conclusion Cervical cancer significantly impacts the health-related quality of life of the patients in India. Clinical interventions should focus on the control of pain and relief of anxiety. The measurement of health-related quality of life should be an integral component of the effectiveness of interventions as well as health technology assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]