QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH CARCINOMA OF THE GALLBLADDER

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The condition of gallbladder cancer is frequent in the region spanning from eastern Uttar Pradesh to western Bihar constituting approximately 4.44% of all malignancies and 0.3% of all admissions in hospitals. The frequency of gallbladder carcinoma based on the Indian Cancer Registry is approximately 5.2 and 6.6 per 100,000 individuals in males and females, respectively in the Indian population. It is the fifth most frequent kind of gastrointestinal cancer. Quality of Life (QOL) is a multifaceted term that is challenging to quantify since both good and bad parts of life are subjective. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines QOL as an individual’s perception of their position in life in the context of their cultures and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns. In general, QOL refers to the capacity to take pleasure in and maintain daily activities like shopping, driving, working, and having fun. It is crucial to talk about the function of some medicines that, while offering significant advantages, might permanently harm our ability to live a "normal" life. The word "quality of life" refers to a patient's overall well-being, including their physical, mental, and spiritual health, as well as how their therapy has affected them and any adverse effects they may experience.

AIM: The aim of the present study is to assess the Quality of life in patients with carcinoma of the gallbladder. To Identify the factors associated with QOL in patients with carcinoma of the gallbladder

MATERIAL AND METHOD: Study was conducted in Department of General Surgery and Surgical Oncology. The study was conducted among 100 suspected cases of carcinoma of the gallbladder which were later confirmed by histological examination. The patients were interviewed at the time of admission preoperatively or before treatment and postoperatively or after treatment at the intervals of 1-3-6 and 9 months. QOL of CaGB patients were followed up to nine months or death of the patient whichever occurred first. Telephonic interview was considered for their wellbeing and survival of patients with their quality of life. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 and M State statistical software.

RESULTS: At 3 months of treatment, socioeconomic status, gender, education, diet, and area of living were significantly associated with QOL. QOL was found to be more satisfactory in those patients in whom surgery was performed than chemotherapy and adjuvant therapy at one, three, and six months of treatment. QOL was found to be more satisfactory in patients who received adjuvant therapy than those who received only chemotherapy at 3 months of treatment. The effect of chemotherapy deteriorates the QOL of CaGB patients with regard to PWB, SWB, and EWB at 3 months of treatment. Later on, there was no discernible variation was observed among the groupings.

CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that satisfactory QOL was higher in CaGB patients in the first month of treatment. QOL was poor in the advanced stage in comparison to the early stage. Thus, we can say that the “earlier the stage, the better the QOL”. Socioeconomic group, marital status, education, and addiction are the factors that affect the quality of life of CaGB patients. Surgery is the only treatment that improves the QOL of the patient at the three months of treatment, later on, QOL deteriorates. Chemotherapy and adjuvant therapy do not improve the QOL. QOL was poor in CaGB patients.

KEYWORDS: Carcinoma, quality of life, social and psychological functioning, Socioeconomic group, marital status, education.