Comfort and Quality of Life of Cancer Patients

Purpose

This study aimed to quantify the comfort level and quality of life (QoL) of cancer patients, to identify the variables associated with comfort level and QoL, and to identify the relationship between comfort level and QoL.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The participants comprised 100 cancer patients, of which 98 were analyzed. Participants completed a self-reporting questionnaire that included the Hospice Comfort Questionnaire and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire-C30 at outpatient clinics, inpatient units, at home, and a day-care chemotherapy unit.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 53.36 years, and 56.1% of them were female. The mean ± standard deviation score for total comfort was 61.50 ± 12.02, with the sociocultural comfort score being the highest (71.05 ± 16.01), followed by physical comfort (60.30 ± 16.71), psychospiritual comfort (57.65 ± 16.81), and environmental comfort (56.32 ± 16.86). There were significant subgroup differences in educational attainment, the site where they completed the questionnaire, and perceived disease status and prognosis. The QoL score for global health status was 46.34 ± 20.76, and comfort was significantly correlated with all dimensions of QoL (r = –.549 – .581).

Conclusion

This study showed lower comfort level in psychospiritual and environmental comfort than physical and sociocultural comfort in cancer patients. Improvement in environment and psychospiritual support is suggested as strategies to enhance the comfort of cancer patients.

Key Words:  cancer , comfort , quality of life

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