Factors related to the quality of life in liver cancer patients during treatment phase: A follow‐up study

摘要

Abstract Objective This study aims to explore the predictive value of demographic and clinical factors in changes in quality of life (QoL) in liver cancer (LC) patients over time. Methods We performed a prospective cohort study in 128 patients who had 4 time point data newly diagnosed with LC at two hospitals in Taiwan. Different functional QoL was measured by QLQ‐C30. Specific characteristics were predictors for distinct functional QoL, estimated by a generalised estimating equation (GEE). Results Patients who received liver resection or radiofrequency ablation therapy (RFA) versus transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) or transcatheter arterial embolisation (TAE) experienced a decrease in physical function from baseline to 1?month. In addition, patients who underwent liver resection versus RFA experienced a significant recovery in cognitive functioning from baseline to 6?months. Patients with advanced stage compared to those in early stage had a reduction in physical functioning from baseline to 1?month. The alcohol intake, hepatitis C infection and the job also affected the changes in physical and cognitive functioning. Conclusion Healthcare professionals should pay attention to changes after treatment in the short term; additionally, they need to provide health education to modifiable factors such as alcohol intake attributed to the deterioration in QoL.