The influence of symptoms, social support, uncertainty, and coping on health-related quality of life among cholangiocarcinoma patients in northeast Thailand.

BACKGROUND

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important outcome for evaluating the effectiveness of cancer care. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a major public health problem in northeast Thailand. There is little information regarding factors influencing HRQOL in CCA patients. Understanding the factors affecting HRQOL in CCA patients is necessary to develop nursing interventions to improve the HRQOL.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to develop and test a model that explained the influence of symptoms, social support, uncertainty, and coping on the HRQOL in CCA patients.

METHODS

Using a cross-sectional descriptive design, a convenience sample of 260 CCA patients were consecutively recruited from a regional hospital and a university hospital in northeast Thailand. All participants responded to a set of 6 questionnaires in structured interview format. A linear structural relationship was used to test the hypothesized model.

RESULTS

Findings revealed the hypothesized model fit the empirical data and explained 69.4% of the variance of HRQOL. Symptoms were the most influential factor affecting HRQOL directly and indirectly through uncertainty. Social support had a direct effect on HRQOL and an indirect effect on HRQOL through uncertainty. Uncertainty had a direct effect on coping and HRQOL. Coping had a nonsignificant direct effect on HRQOL.

CONCLUSION

Symptoms, social support, and uncertainty were important factors influencing HRQOL in CCA patients.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Cholangiocarcinoma is a unique yet understudied condition. Further work in developing CCA-specific HRQOL interventions is warranted.