RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MULTI-LEVEL SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN WOMEN WITH GYNECOLOGIC CANCERS: A LONGITUDINAL PILOT STUDY

Low socioeconomic status (SES) is one of the most robust determinants of quality of life (QoL) in a cancer population. However, few studies have evaluated the influence of SES at both individual- and community-levels on QoL. Understanding the multi-level effects of SES on QoL may provide essential i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Oncology nursing forum Vol. 50; no. 2; p. C183
Main Authors:	Barandouzi, Zahra A, Boitos, Denisa Ramona, Eng, Tony, Patel, Pretesh, Shelton, Joseph, Khanna, Namita, Scott, Isabelle, Meador, Rebecca, Bruner, Deborah Watkins
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Pittsburgh Oncology Nursing Society 01-03-2023
Subjects:	Cancer Cervical cancer Chemotherapy Longitudinal studies Oncology Quality of life Socioeconomic factors
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Summary:	Low socioeconomic status (SES) is one of the most robust determinants of quality of life (QoL) in a cancer population. However, few studies have evaluated the influence of SES at both individual- and community-levels on QoL. Understanding the multi-level effects of SES on QoL may provide essential insights into the mechanisms that create socioeconomic inequity and its impact on QoL in cancer populations. Thus, the current longitudinal study aimed to evaluate the association between SES and QoL in women with gynecologic cancers. In this secondary data analysis, self-reported QoL was measured using the 3-level Euro QoL-5D (EQ-5D). Moreover, patients' SES at individual- and community-level was assessed using annual household income and area deprivation index (ADI), respectively, at three-time points: pre-treatment (To), six weeks (T1), and six months (T2) after chemotherapy/ chemoradiation. A mixed effect model was conducted to determine associations between SES and QoL. The analysis included 42 cancer patients with a mean age of 54 years and BMI of 29, representing White (52%) and Black (48%) races. Most of the patients had cervical cancer (69%) with stage <III (69%). The annual income of more than half of the participants was below 50K (58%), and most had an education level of college or above (60%). According to the results of the mixed effect model, patients with annual income >50K had higher QoL (p=0.02). Moreover, patients who lived in the less deprived neighborhood had higher QoL (p=0.01). The findings support the body of evidence from prior studies that lower SES was associated with poor QoL. This study highlights the importance of evaluating SES comprehensively by considering both individual- and community-level factors. This evidences the need to design appropriate multi-level interventions based on SES to improve patients' QoL. Also, nurses, as one of the most trusted healthcare providers, can play a pivotal role in enlightening health outcomes, including QoL by addressing patients' SES at different levels.
ISSN:	0190-535X 1538-0688