J Korean Clin Nurs Res.  2022 Apr;28(1):76-87. 10.22650/JKCNR.2022.28.1.76.

Quality of Life in Colorectal Cancer Patients at Home 5-Fluorouracil Chemotherapy with Disposable Elastomeric Infusion Pumps

• Lee CE
• Kim NY
• Park MH
• Lee YJ
• Kim JR
• Baek MJ
• Kim HJ
• Byun ES
• Kil YK
• Kim H

• KMID: 2529724
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.22650/JKCNR.2022.28.1.76

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to examine the psychological distress related to quality of life (QoL) of patients with colorectal cancer receiving 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy at home with disposable Elastomeric infusion pumps.
Methods
In this study, 179 colorectal outpatients were recruited between September 2019 and January 2021. National Cancer Center Psychological Symptom Inventory scores, general self-efficacy, and the EORTC QLQ-C30 scores were measured. Data were analyzed using Independent t-test, One-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc analysis, and hierarchical multiple linear regression with the SPSS/WIN 26.0 programs.
Results
The overall prevalence of psychological distress was 52.0% in colorectal patients. In multiple regression, psychological distress (β=-.20, p=.005), appetite loss (β=-.20, p=.001), chemotherapy cycles (β= .19, p=.002), fatigue (β=-.16, p=.035), physical functioning (β=-.16, p=.024), and emotional functioning (β=-.15, p=.025) were significant factors of QoL, and the final model explained 45.0% of the total variance of QoL.
Conclusion
Supporting patients toward decreased psychological distress and increased physical and emotional functioning, especially in the first or second cycle of chemotherapy, could be used to improve their QoL. To consider the thresholds for clinical importance, it is necessary to increase the interpretation of psychological distress in clinical practice and further research.

Keyword

Distress; Quality of Life; Chemotherapy; Colorectal Cancer