Asefa Tseganesh, Tesfaye Winta, Bitew Gedamnesh, Tezera Hiwot
Department of Medical Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2025 Jan 5;23(1):2. doi: 10.1186/s12955-024-02319-x.
Esophageal cancer impairs basic functions such as eating and drinking frequently resulting in difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) and other problems such as weight loss, pain, fatigue, and taste alterations. There is still a research gap in understanding the impact of dysphagia on quality of life, as patients continue to bear significant physical and psychological burdens despite advances in treatment. This study attempted to address this gap by examining the lived experiences of dysphagia-related quality of life among esophageal cancer patients.
A phenomenological study was employed to analyze the data provided by 14 patients with esophageal cancer at the Oncology Center of the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from March to April 2023. An interview guide was employed to carry out in-depth interviews with purposively selected patients. The interviews were audio-taped, translated, transcribed, and analysed using thematic analysis.
Three main themes emerged from the analysis of the participant interviews: physical challenges related to difficulty swallowing, altered dietary habits, and struggle to maintain weight; psychosocial strain, including emotional distress and social isolation; and reliance on assistance, encompassing both dependency and financial burden.
This study underscores the significant physical, emotional, and social challenges experienced by esophageal cancer patients with dysphagia. To enhance support, healthcare providers should develop personalized care plans that address both the physical and emotional aspects of dysphagia, with sensitivity to cultural practices. Efforts should also be made to alleviate feelings of dependency and promote public awareness to reduce stigma and build a more supportive community.
食管癌会损害进食和饮水等基本功能，常常导致吞咽困难以及体重减轻、疼痛、疲劳和味觉改变等其他问题。在理解吞咽困难对生活质量的影响方面仍存在研究空白，因为尽管治疗取得了进展，但患者仍承受着巨大的身心负担。本研究试图通过考察食管癌患者吞咽困难相关生活质量的实际经历来填补这一空白。
采用现象学研究方法分析2023年3月至4月贡德尔大学综合专科医院肿瘤中心14例食管癌患者提供的数据。使用访谈指南对有目的地选取的患者进行深入访谈。访谈进行录音、翻译、转录，并采用主题分析法进行分析。
对参与者访谈的分析得出了三个主要主题：与吞咽困难相关的身体挑战、饮食习惯改变以及维持体重的困难；心理社会压力，包括情绪困扰和社会孤立；以及对援助的依赖，包括依赖性和经济负担。
本研究强调了食管癌吞咽困难患者所经历的重大身体、情感和社会挑战。为了加强支持，医疗服务提供者应制定个性化的护理计划，解决吞咽困难的身体和情感方面问题，并对文化习俗保持敏感。还应努力减轻依赖感，提高公众意识，以减少耻辱感并建立一个更具支持性的社区。
