• Annette Sand Strömgren, Carsten Utoft Niemann, Ulla Brix Tange, Hanne Farholt, Nan M Sonne, Lena Ankersen, Lisbet Kristensen, Lisbeth Bendixen, Mogens Groenvold, Morten Aagaard Petersen, Mie Nordly, Lona Christrup, Per Sjøgren, and Geana Paula Kurita.
• Department of Oncology, 5073 Finsen Centre, Rigshospitalet Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark, a.stromgren@webspeed.dk.
• Support Care Cancer. 2014 Jul 1;22(7):1843-9.

PurposeQuality 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.MethodsA 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.ResultsOne 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).ConclusionsPatients 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.

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