Assessment of the quality of life of patients with lung cancer using the EORTC QLQ-C30 scale

Abstract

Relevance: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a leading cause of oncological mortality globally and within Kazakhstan. Annually, approximately 5,000 new cases are identified in Kazakhstan, with 70% diagnosed at advanced stages (III–IV). Consequently, modern oncology prioritizes the assessment of Quality of Life (QoL) alongside survival rates. QoL metrics serve as vital indicators for prognosis and the comprehensive evaluation of inpatient and palliative care efficacy.

The study aimed to conduct a comprehensive assessment of QoL in NSCLC patients and identify statistically significant clinical and social predictors influencing physical and emotional functioning.

Methods: A hospital-based study was conducted involving 163 patients diagnosed with NSCLC. QoL was assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 (version 3.0), which includes functional, symptomatic, and global health/QoL scales. Statistical analysis utilized Student’s t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multivariate logistic regression.

Results: The mean QoL score was 55.25. The lowest functional values were recorded for role functioning (40.50) and physical functioning (52.10). Fatigue (71.80) and dyspnea (65.40) emerged as the most significant symptomatic burdens. Gender-stratified analysis revealed that women exhibited significantly lower role functioning (p = 0.028) and higher financial difficulties (p = 0.049), while men reported lower emotional functioning (p = 0.037). Logistic regression indicated that female gender is a risk factor for diminished physical functioning (p = 0.039). Furthermore, inadequate patient information provided by physicians (β = 0.780, p = 0.005) and «unemployed» status (β = 0.550, p = 0.045) were identified as statistically significant predictors of emotional dysfunction.

Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that the disease burden is primarily concentrated in physical and role functioning. Modifiable psychosocial factors, such as informational support and employment status, were identified as critical predictors of emotional health.