Assessment of GI-Related Quality of Life Among Cervical and Endometrial Cancer Patients Who ReceivedCurative Radiotherapy at Black Lion Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa,Ethiopia.
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Date
2023-12
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Radiation related GI symptoms such as radiation proctitis, enteritis or colitis is a
relatively common yet less researched side effect of gynecologic radiotherapy. Beyond the
symptoms, affected patients will have significantly low quality of life and impairment of activities
of daily living.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the symptoms prevalence, quality of life of patients
who took radiotherapy for cervical and endometrial cancer, identify associated factors among
patients who completed curative gynecologic radiotherapy at TASH radiotherapy center between
June 2023 and November 2023.
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 68 Patients who took
combined intracavitary and EBRT between June 2023 and November 2023 for cervical and
endometrial cancer and fulfill the inclusion criteria for the study. Quality of life was assessed based
on EORTC-QLQ-PRT-20 questionnaire and analyzed accordingly. Mann-Whitney U test and
Spearmans Correlation test were used and statistical significance was determined at P value less
than 0.05
Result: The mean age of the study participants was 52 years and 48 of the 68 patients (70%)
reported at least one abnormal symptom. The mean symptom score for bowel and gas, leakage,
bowel control, pain and emotion were 32.0, 3.4 ,6.8 ,8.0 and 13.8. Non parametric tests showed
significant association between pain score and bladder volume, pain score and number of
cycles,bowel control and total rectal EQD2 and bowel gas with maximum rectal diameter and pain
score with Period after RT completion (acute vs chronic)
Conclusion: GI related quality of life of uterine and cervical cancer patients after radiotherapy is
significantly affected and better patient care and follow ups are needed.
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Keywords
Radiation, GI symptoms, Cervical Cancer, Endometrial Cancer