Health-related quality of life and associated factors among individuals with cancer in Laos
5 affiliations
- 1Champasak College of Health Sciences , ,
- 2Translational Biobehavioral and Health Promotion (TBHP) Branch, National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center , , ,
- 3College of Nursing, Chonnam National University , ,
- 4Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , , ,
- 5Department of Nursing, Kyungmin University , ,
Abstract
Introduction: Being diagnosed with cancer has diverse consequences that can influence patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Understanding HRQoL and its associated factors among cancer patients, especially in low- and middle-income countries, is critical to focus on early detection and enhance cancer treatment strategies. In Laos, however, there is a scarcity of information. The study aimed to assess HRQoL in individuals with cancer in Laos and its association with sociodemographic and clinical factors.
Materials and methods: Data were obtained from 193 patients with diverse cancers in Laos. HRQoL was assessed using a 30-item of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire-C30 (EORTC QLQ–C30), including nine subscales: global health status/quality of life (GQoL), functioning (physical, role, emotional, cognitive, social), and symptoms (pain, fatigue, nausea/vomiting). Predetermined thresholds indicating clinical importance were applied to identify patients exhibiting functional impairment and symptoms at a level meriting concern (clinical case). Controlling for age, sex and cancer stage, multiple linear and logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with subscales of EORTC QLQ-C30.
Results: More than three-quarters of the patients reported functioning at levels corresponding to clinical cases (54–93%) and experiencing pain (82%), nausea/vomiting (83%), and financial difficulties (87%). Higher educational attainment and receipt of cancer treatment were associated with better GQoL. Comorbid conditions were consistently associated with poorer functioning and greater symptom burden, including fatigue, dyspnea, constipation, and diarrhea.
Conclusion: Cancer patients in Laos experience a substantial burden of clinically important functional impairments, symptoms, and financial difficulties. Sociodemographic and clinical factors, particularly education, treatment modality, and comorbid conditions, were associated with HRQoL outcomes. Participants who had not received treatment generally experienced greater functional impairment and symptom burden, underscoring the importance of timely access to cancer care and supportive services. These findings support the need for targeted supportive care interventions and symptom management strategies to improve the wellbeing of cancer patients in Laos.
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BibTeX
@article{xatakoune2026healthrelated,
title = {{Health-related quality of life and associated factors among individuals with cancer in Laos}},
author = {Nithaya Xatakoune and Lena J. Lee and Hohyun Seong and Jennifer J. Barb and Aminata J. Sinyan and Li Yang and Ran Lee},
journal = {Frontiers in public health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2026.1941268},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13690736},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Health-related quality of life and associated factors among individuals with cancer in Laos
AU - Nithaya Xatakoune
AU - Lena J. Lee
AU - Hohyun Seong
AU - Jennifer J. Barb
AU - Aminata J. Sinyan
AU - Li Yang
AU - Ran Lee
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/09
JO - Frontiers in public health
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1941268
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13690736
AB - Introduction: Being diagnosed with cancer has diverse consequences that can influence patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Understanding HRQoL and its associated factors among cancer patients, especially in low- and middle-income countries, is critical to focus on early detection and enhance cancer treatment strategies. In Laos, however, there is a scarcity of information. The study aimed to assess HRQoL in individuals with cancer in Laos and its association with sociodemographic and clinical factors. Materials and methods: Data were obtained from 193 patients with diverse cancers in Laos. HRQoL was assessed using a 30-item of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire-C30 (EORTC QLQ–C30), including nine subscales: global health status/quality of life (GQoL), functioning (physical, role, emotional, cognitive, social), and symptoms (pain, fatigue, nausea/vomiting). Predetermined thresholds indicating clinical importance were applied to identify patients exhibiting functional impairment and symptoms at a level meriting concern (clinical case). Controlling for age, sex and cancer stage, multiple linear and logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with subscales of EORTC QLQ-C30. Results: More than three-quarters of the patients reported functioning at levels corresponding to clinical cases (54–93%) and experiencing pain (82%), nausea/vomiting (83%), and financial difficulties (87%). Higher educational attainment and receipt of cancer treatment were associated with better GQoL. Comorbid conditions were consistently associated with poorer functioning and greater symptom burden, including fatigue, dyspnea, constipation, and diarrhea. Conclusion: Cancer patients in Laos experience a substantial burden of clinically important functional impairments, symptoms, and financial difficulties. Sociodemographic and clinical factors, particularly education, treatment modality, and comorbid conditions, were associated with HRQoL outcomes. Participants who had not received treatment generally experienced greater functional impairment and symptom burden, underscoring the importance of timely access to cancer care and supportive services. These findings support the need for targeted supportive care interventions and symptom management strategies to improve the wellbeing of cancer patients in Laos.
SN - 2296-2565
ER -