Longitudinal study on quality of life following cervical cancer treatment in Botswana

Bibliographic Data

ID21879208
AuthorsSurbhi Grover (0000-0001-7443-5937, University of Botswana), Rohini Bhatia (0000-0002-1444-7378, Johns Hopkins University), Rohini K Bhatia (Johns Hopkins University), Salman Khan (0000-0003-1611-3934, University of Botswana), Paseka Tladi (Botswana International University of Science and Technology), Lesego Gabaitiri (0000-0002-7969-2286, Botswana International University of Science and Technology), Memory Bvochora-Nsingo (Department of Oncology, Gaborone Private Hospital, Gaborone, Botswana), Memory Bvochora‐Nsingo, Sebathu Chiyapo (0000-0001-9800-1455, Department of Oncology, Gaborone Private Hospital, Gaborone, Botswana), Dawn Balang (Department of Oncology, Gaborone Private Hospital, Gaborone, Botswana), Shalini Vinod (0000-0001-8075-6219, UNSW Sydney), Mark N Polizzotto (0000-0002-6446-183X, Australian National University), Natalie Taylor (0000-0002-0280-0883, UNSW Sydney), Karen Canfell (0000-0002-6443-6618, Australian Respiratory Council), Nicola M Zetola (0000-0003-0712-8579, University of Botswana), Nicola Zetola (Botswana-University of Pennsylvania Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana), Doreen Ramogola‐Masire (0000-0001-9624-8366, University of Botswana), Doreen Ramogola-Masire (University of Botswana), Lilie L Lin (0000-0001-7681-8966, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center), Erle Robertson (Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA), Erle S Robertson (0000-0002-6088-2979, University of Pennsylvania), Katharine A Rendle (0000-0002-7761-8728, University of Pennsylvania)
Year2025
Volume10
Issue3
Pagese017206
Publication date2025-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBMJ Global Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2059-7908 • E-ISSN: 2059-7908
PublisherBMJ (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1136/bmjgh-2024-017206
PMID40090695
OpenAlexW4408489232
LanguageEN
References cited30

PURPOSE: This study longitudinally assessed the quality of life (QoL) in patients who completed chemoradiation (CRT) for cervical cancer in Botswana and compared the QoL for those living with and without HIV infection. METHODS: Patients with cervical cancer recommended for curative CRT were enrolled from August 2016 to February 2020. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality-of-Life (QLQ-C30) and cervical cancer-specific (QLQ-Cx24) questionnaires, translated into Setswana, were used to assess the QoL of patients prior to treatment (baseline), at the end of treatment (EOT) and in 3 month intervals post-treatment for 2 years, and statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 294 women (median age: 46 years) were enrolled and followed up for an average of 16.4 months. Of women with recorded staging, most had FIGO stage III/IV disease (64.4%). Women living with HIV (WLWH; 74.1%) presented at earlier ages than those without HIV (44.8 years vs 54.7 years, p<0.001). The QoL for all domains did not differ by HIV status at baseline, EOT or 24 month follow-up. Per QLQ-C30, the mean global health status score (72.21 vs 78.37; p<0.01) and the symptom (12.70 vs 7.63; p=0.04) and functional scales (88.34 vs 91.85; p<0.01) improved significantly from the EOT to the 24 month follow-up for all patients; however, using the QLQ-Cx24 survey, no significant differences in the symptom burden (12.53 vs 13.67; p=0.6) or functional status (91.23 vs 89.90; p=0.53) were found between these two time points. CONCLUSION: The QoL increased significantly for all patients undergoing CRT, underscoring the value of pursuing curative CRT, regardless of the HIV status

Cancer · Cervical cancer · Cancer survivorship and care · Cervical Cancer and HPV Research · Endometrial and Cervical Cancer Treatments · Medicine · Internal Medicine