title: Quality of life and symptoms in patients with malignant diseases admitted to a comprehensive cancer centre.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Quality of life and symptomatology in patients with malignancies admitted to comprehensive cancer centres are rarely investigated. Thus, this study aimed to investigate symptomatology and health-related quality of life of inpatients with cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, cross-sectional study was carried out on two occasions 5 weeks apart in haematology and oncology departments at a comprehensive cancer centre. Assessment included demographic data, WHO performance status (PS), EORTC QLQ-C30 and pain scales of brief pain inventory. Comparisons were analysed using Wilcoxon two-sample test, rank tests and Fisher's exact test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred twenty-four patients were analysed, mean age=59 years (SD=13.7), 42% admitted to haematological department; lung cancer was the most frequent diagnosis (15%). Low health-related quality of life and severe symptom burden, especially fatigue and appetite loss, were observed among the inpatients. In addition, role and social functions appeared to be more impaired in haematology patients than in those admitted to oncology (P=0.0372 and 0.0167, respectively). On the other hand, pain and constipation were more severely affected in oncology patients (P=0.0194 and 0.0064, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients in the wards of haematology and oncology had pronounced symptomatology and low quality of life. A more systematic focus on the amelioration of problems with functioning and symptoms among inpatients with malignant diseases is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, 5073 Finsen Centre, Rigshospitalet Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark, a.stromgren@webspeed.dk.
authors.forename: Annette Sand
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Strömgren
authors.forename: Carsten Utoft
authors.initials: CU
authors.lastname: Niemann
authors.forename: Ulla Brix
authors.initials: UB
authors.lastname: Tange
authors.forename: Hanne
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Farholt
authors.forename: Nan M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Sonne
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ankersen
authors.forename: Lisbet
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kristensen
authors.forename: Lisbeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bendixen
authors.forename: Mogens
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Groenvold
authors.forename: Morten Aagaard
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: Mie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nordly
authors.forename: Lona
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Christrup
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sjøgren
authors.forename: Geana Paula
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Kurita
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires