Factors Influencing the Quality of Life in Thai
Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy during
COVID-19 Pandemic

Factors Influencing the Quality of Life in Thai
Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy during
COVID-19 Pandemic

Anxiety and depression; cancer
patients; COVID-19; quality of life;
social support

Background: The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has physical and
mental impacts on cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and this can lead to a
decline in their quality of life (QoL). Little is currently known about the factors that
affect QoL among cancer patients in Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Purpose: This study aimed to examine the factors influencing the QoL of cancer
patients receiving chemotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 102 cancer
patients undergoing chemotherapy recruited using a simple random sampling
technique. Four instruments were used; 1) Demographic and clinical characteristics
questionnaires; 2) the Thai Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (Thai HADS); 3)
the Revised Thai version of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support
(r-Thai MSPSS); and 4) the European Organization for Research and Treatment of
Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 (EORTC QLQC-30, Thai version).
Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression were used for data analysis.
Results: According to the findings, the study demonstrated that depression had a
statistically significant negative influence on QoL, physical functioning, and
emotional functioning (B=-2.196, p=0.001; B=-2.630, p<0.001; B=-1.605,
p=0.009, respectively). Similarly, anxiety exhibited a negative influence on
emotional functioning, cognitive functioning, and social functioning (B= -2.593,
p<0.001; B=-1.508, p=0.037). However, social support did not significantly
influence QoL.
Conclusion: The study underscores the negative impact of depression and anxiety
on QoL, emphasizing the importance of addressing psychological well-being. While
social support’s influence on QoL was not significant in this context, the research
highlights the factors affecting cancer patients’ well-being during challenging times.
These insights could inform interventions to enhance QoL and patient care.

Supawan Jaiboon1

, Arveewan Vittayatigonnasak2

https://doi.org/10.14710/nmjn.v13i2.53153

28 August 2023

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