Health‐related quality of life among patients with ovarian cancer at Mulago Hospital, Uganda

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. CONCLUSION: 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.