Quality of life and its associated factors in cancer patients attending clinics at Teaching Hospital Batticaloa

Abstract

Cancer is the world’s second most common cause of mortality after heart disease. Cancer significantly impacts patients' physical, psychological, and social well-being, often leading to a reduced quality of life (QOL). Assessing QOL among cancer patients is essential for guiding holistic treatment approaches, especially in resource-limited settings. This study aimed to describe the quality of life and its associated factors of cancer patients attending clinics at Teaching Hospital Batticaloa. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2024 to October 2025 among 326 randomly selected cancer patients attending the Oncology Unit at Teaching Hospital Batticaloa. Patients aged over 18 years and diagnosed with cancer for at least six months were included. Data were collected through interviewer-administered EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaires during clinic waiting periods. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, including descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression. The study revealed that 52.3% of participants had poor quality of life, with a mean global QOL score of 42.28. Functional scales were notably low in emotional and social functioning, while financial difficulty, fatigue, appetite loss, and pain were the most distressing symptoms. Significant associations with poor QOL were found for religion, ethnicity, radiotherapy, job loss, and comorbidities (p < 0.05). However, demographic factors such as age, gender, income, and education showed no significant relationship with QOL. The study concluded that cancer patients at Teaching Hospital Batticaloa experience moderate impairment in their quality of life, especially in physical, emotional, and role domains. Socio-demographic and disease-related variables significantly influenced QOL scores. These findings highlight the importance of adopting comprehensive, patient-centered cancer care strategies that address both medical and psychosocial needs to improve overall quality of life.