Quality of life due to adverse drug reaction (adr) in patients with head and neck cancer

Introduction: Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are relevant adjuvant therapies in patients with head and neck cancer. The adverse effects of these drugs have an impact on the individual's daily routine life and have to deal with the impact of treatment on its functional aspects. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life due to adverse effects of chemotherapeutic agents in patients with carcinoma in head and neck.
Method: This was a questionnaire based study on twenty three patients included as per selection criteria. Interview was based on questionnaire based on Quality of Life Core Questionnaire - Cancer 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30).
Results: Appetite loss and constipation were most common treatment related side effects present in 18 (78.26%) and 13 (56.52%) number of patients respectively. The occurrence of pain, insomnia was higher however, nausea, vomiting, were lower range. Overall physical condition of patients during past 1week was on better side when marked on a scale of 1(very poor) to 7(excellent). Overall quality of life of patients was 4 and above for 20 patients.
Conclusion: There is some reduction of quality of life reflected through symptoms of ADR in the patients on chemotherapy. Assessing the quality of life of cancer patients is complex. A large number of variables need to be considered, which impact the patient's self-perception, from their social situation. Further studies are needed taking into consideration of various socio cultural norms and financial issues.