Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and its association with quality of life among cancer patients

Abstract

Background and objective: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common incapacitating complication of various chemotherapeutic agents that severely impact the patient’s quality of life. Most of patients treated with anticancer agents develop CIPN early after treatment and may necessitate dose modification or termination, which can increase cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Aim: investigate the Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and its Association with Quality of Life among Cancer patients.

Methods: A descriptive study design was applied in this study, on a purposeful sample of 250 adult patients diagnosed with chemotherapy induce peripheral nephropathy. The study instruments were the demographic and medical history questionnaire, PNQ, EORTC CIPN20 and EORTC30.

Results: Symptoms severities mean score is 5.58 ± 2.97. Sensory neuropathy registered the highest mean at 21.23 points, followed by motor (17.33) and autonomic (5.11). About one quarter of participants reported poor global quality of life. Poor physical function was reported by 22.3% of all participants. Fatigue, pain and insomnia were the most common symptoms suffered by patients. There is a relation between CIPN and duration of cancer diagnosis, type of cancer, intervention, gender, and other condition.

Conclusions: CIPN is the furthermost common complication of chemotherapy that affects patient’s QoL. Assessment of chemotherapy-related peripheral neuropathy helps clinicians to develop and evaluate much needed targeted therapies and to help improving QoL.