A cross-sectional study for assessing perceived symptoms, depression and quality of life in advanced lung cancer patients.

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to assess the perceived symptoms, depression and quality of life (QoL) in advanced lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods: The study was cross sectional and was conducted in the oncology department of General Hospital "George Papanikolaou", Thessaloniki, Greece. The sample was convenient and consisted of 76 advanced lung cancer patients. A questionnaire including instruments such as Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale- CES-D, Revised Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale r-ESAS, EORTC QLQ-C30 and demographic and clinical information was used to collect data.

Results: The most frequently observed symptoms were tiredness, shortness of breath, anxiety and well-being. The vast majority of patients (75.3%) had total score in CES-depression higher than 16. The type of residence affected ESAS emotional score (p=0.010). Gender affected the level of depression (p=0.014) and the type of lung cancer affected depression (p=0.036). The type of residence affected emotional functioning (p=0.010), the type of treatment influenced the score of global health status (p=0.007), the role functioning (p=0.032) and social functioning (p=0.024). Multivariate regression analysis was conducted to identify the predictors of overall QoL and depression. The statistically significant factors for QoL were pain (p<0.001) and tiredness (p=0.003), while the type of lung cancer (p<0.007), the type of insurance (p<0.025) and the type of treatment (p<0.041) influenced depression as well.

Conclusions: Advanced lung cancer patients experienced moderate level in QoL and mild levels of symptoms. Demographic and clinical characteristics influenced depression and QoL.