Impact of Chemotherapy Side Effects on Quality of Life of Thai Cancers Patients Assessed by Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI] and Chemotherapy induced Alopecia Distress Scale [CADS]
Metavee Boonsiri MD1, Sophon Duangthipnate MD1
Affiliation : 1 Dermatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To evaluate the quality of life [QoL] in dermatology aspect among Thai cancer patients who were treated with
chemotherapy and had cutaneous side effects.
Materials and Methods : This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of Thai cancer patients aged >18 years old who were
treated with chemotherapy at the out-patient Oncology Clinic at Vajira Hospital. All patients had complete physical
examinations by a dermatologist who recorded the cutaneous manifestations. The patients who gave consent to participate
were requested to do the Dermatologic Life Quality index [DLQI] and Chemotherapy-induced Alopecia Distress Scale
[CADS].
Results : From 89 enrolled patients, 58 (65.2%) were female and 31 (34.8%) were male. Skin xerosis was the main cutaneous
side effects. One-third of the patients reported hair abnormalities. The average DLQI score was 3.55+6.94. Twenty-seven
patients (30.3%) reported small to extremely large effects of chemotherapy on their QoL. Symptoms of itching, sore, pain
and embarrassment were their most common concerns whereas the personal relationship was least affected. Female patients
had significant higher mean CADS than male patients (p<0.05). Most patients perceived that shielding hair loss affected their
daily activities. We did not find a significant relationship between DLQI and CAD scores (r = 0.089, p = 0.406).
Conclusion : Cutaneous side effects of chemotherapy are very important concern in cancer patients. Skin xerosis was
common problem and should not be neglected. Itching, sore, pain and embarrassment were most commonly found. Female
patients were significantly affected than male in chemotherapy inducing hair loss. Knowledge sharing and counselling are
needed in such patients to minimize their distress and refusal of treatment completion.
Keywords : Cancer, Chemotherapy, Quality of life, DLQI, CADS
