Symptom burden and its effect on the quality of life in a selected group of breast cancer patients in Delta State (Nigeria) after chemotherapy: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION

breast cancer remains a significant global health burden, with chemotherapy serving as a cornerstone of treatment. However, chemotherapy is associated with a high symptom burden, adversely impacting patients' quality of life. This study assessed the prevalence, severity, and impact of symptom burden among breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in Delta State, Nigeria.

METHODS

a cross-sectional design was utilized, and data were analyzed using Chi-square tests to examine associations between symptom burden and sociodemographic factors, cancer stage, and overall well-being. The researchers purposively recruited 139 participants of the 195 patients from the Oncology Clinics of Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, and Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, both in Delta State, Nigeria.

RESULTS

findings revealed that 36% of patients experienced moderate symptom burden, while 35.3% had severe or very severe burden. Pain (80%), fatigue (65%), and sleep disturbances (60%) were the most common symptoms. Marital status (χ2= 19.674, p = 0.034), duration since diagnosis (χ2= 11.149, p = 0.047), and cancer stage (χ2= 8.292, p = 0.007) were significantly associated with symptom burden, while age, education, and employment status were not. A strong inverse correlation was observed between symptom burden and quality of life (χ2= 19.828, p= 0.0225), with increasing symptom severity leading to diminished physical, emotional, and social well-being. Patients with no symptom burden reported the highest quality of life, while those with severe and very severe burden experienced the lowest well-being.

CONCLUSION

this study underscores the importance of individualized supportive care tailored to symptom profiles, particularly for patients with advanced-stage disease and those lacking social support. Addressing symptom burden holistically can improve treatment adherence, resilience, and overall well-being in breast cancer survivors.