Suicidal Ideation was Associated with Quality of Life Impairment of Patients with Lung Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study in Vietnam.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to measure the quality of life (QOL) of lung cancer patients and evaluate the relationship between QOL and suicidal ideation (SI) in a tertiary hospital in Vietnam.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam. A total of 256 patients with lung cancer were recruited. The QOL of cancer patients was evaluated using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) version 3. Multivariate Tobit regression was employed to identify associations between SI and QOL.

RESULT

Overall, the mean global health status score was 58.3 ± 15.8, and those with SI had significantly higher scores than those without SI. Regarding functional scales, patients with SI had significantly lower physical functioning (82.22 ± 11.42) compared to those without SI (90.58 ± 11.90) (p<0.05). Meanwhile, regarding symptom scales, scores for fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pain, insomnia, appetite loss, constipation, diarrhea, and financial difficulties among patients with SI were significantly higher than those without SI (p<0.05). In the multivariate analysis, having SI increased the role functioning score (Coef. = 9.41, 95% CI = 0.38-18.45) and diarrhea score (Coef. = 22.33, 95% CI = 2.05-42.60).

CONCLUSION

This study indicated moderate QOL and perceived the lowest social functioning in lung cancer patients. SI was associated with role functioning scores and diarrhea scores. SI should be monitored and controlled regularly in this population during treatment to improve their QOL.