Health-Related Quality of Life and Experiences of Sarcoma Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic
covid-19, Patient experience, sarcomas, HRQOL
Sarcomas are rare cancers with a spectrum of clinical needs and outcomes. We investigated care experiences and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in sarcoma patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients with appointments during the first two months of the UK lockdown were invited to complete a survey. Questions included views on care modifications, COVID-19 worry and psychosocial impact, and EORTC-QLQ-C30 items. 350 patients completed the survey; median age 58 (16–92) years. Care modifications included telemedicine (74%) and postponement of appointments (34%), scans (34%) or treatment (10%). Most felt the quality of care was not affected (72%), however, social life (87%) and emotional wellbeing (41%) were affected. Worry about COVID-19 infection was moderately high (mean 5.8/10) and significantly related to higher cancer-related worry; associated with lower emotional functioning irrespective of treatment intent. Curative patients (44%) with low resilient coping scores had significantly higher COVID-19 worry. Patients who did not know their treatment intent (22%) had significantly higher COVID-19 worry and insomnia. In summary, care experiences were generally positive; however, cancer-related worry, low resilient coping and uncertainty about treatment intent were associated with COVID-19 worry. These patients may benefit from additional psychological support during the pandemic and beyond.
Eugenie Younger, Alannah Smrke, Emma Lidington, Sheima Farag, Katrina Ingley, Neha Chopra, Alessandra Maleddu, Yolanda Augustin, Eve Merry, Roger Wilson, Charlotte Benson, Aisha Miah, Shane Zaidi, Anne McTiernan, Sandra J. Strauss, Palma Dileo, Spyridon Gennatas, Olga Husson, Robin L. Jones
Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens