title: Health-related quality of life among patients with ovarian cancer at Mulago Hospital, Uganda.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Most patients with ovarian cancer are diagnosed when the disease is at an advanced stage. The symptoms and the surgery-induced loss of sexual and reproductive function have an impact on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of affected women. The present study described the HRQOL among women with ovarian cancer at Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a case series involving 36 women with histologically confirmed ovarian cancer admitted to the gynecologic oncology unit at Mulago Hospital. Clinical and histologic characteristics were determined using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The abbreviated version of the WHO Quality of Life instrument (WHOQOL-BREF) was used to assess quality of life.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients had symptoms (mainly abdominal symptoms) before diagnosis and had previously sought medical care without being diagnosed. The majority (88.9%) had advanced disease (mainly serous epithelial tumors). Most patients were dissatisfied with their life and scored low on all HRQOL domains (physical, psychological, and social well-being; environment). The overall mean WHOQOL-BREF score was 27.5%; the score was lowest (mean 18.7%) in the psychological domain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All patients experienced symptoms before diagnosis and the majority presented with advanced disease. The quality of life was poor in all domains, with psychological well-being most affected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Jerome
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Katumba
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Obore
authors.forename: Dan K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Kaye
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014454:Uganda; D055815:Young Adult