Yaowarat Matchim
Faculty of Nursing, Prince of Songkla University, Hat-Yai, Songkhla, Thailand

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Journal : Belitung Nursing Journal

Health-related quality of life in Thai patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and its influencing factors: A cross-sectional study Pathomjaruwat, Thitiporn; Matchim, Yaowarat; Armer, Jane M.
Belitung Nursing Journal Vol. 11 No. 4 (2025): July - August
Publisher : Belitung Raya Foundation

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.33546/bnj.3853

Abstract

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a critical indicator in individuals with cancer. Patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) commonly experience a decline in HRQoL due to both the progression of the disease and the adverse effects associated with treatment. Despite the high prevalence of HCC in Thailand, there is a paucity of research examining the HRQoL of Thai patients and the factors that may influence it. Objective: This study aimed to examine HRQoL in Thai patients with HCC and evaluated the relationships between disease stage, comorbidities, albumin level, functional status (FS), self-management behaviors (SMBs), and HRQoL. Methods: A correlational, cross-sectional study was conducted with 408 patients with HCC recruited from six hospitals in central Thailand between April and September 2024. Data collection included demographic and clinical information, along with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Hepatobiliary (FACT-Hep) scale, Inventory of Functional Status-Cancer (IFS-CA), and the SMB scale for patients with HCC. All instruments were validated and reliable. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. Results: Most participants were at intermediate (38.97%) or advanced (24.26%) stages of HCC. Overall HRQoL was high (mean FACT-Hep score = 147.92 ± 26.09). Disease stage, comorbidities, albumin level, FS, and SMBs were all significantly correlated with HRQoL (r = 0.771). Together, these factors explained 58.9% of the variance in HRQoL (adjusted R² = 0.589, F(5, 402) = 117.745, p <0.001). Significant predictors of HRQoL included disease stage (β = -0.116), comorbidities (β = -0.080), albumin level (β = 0.278), FS (β = 0.388), and SMBs (β = 0.296). Among these, FS was the strongest predictor. Conclusion: Improving self-management behaviors, functional status, and nutritional status shows promise for enhancing HRQoL in patients with HCC. These findings can guide nurses in developing interventions to support patients with HCC and improve their quality of life.
Structural equation modeling of symptom clusters and health-related quality of life among patients with advanced colorectal cancer receiving chemotherapy in Bangkok, Thailand Suratako, Savitree; Matchim, Yaowarat; Griffin, Mary Quinn
Belitung Nursing Journal Vol. 11 No. 4 (2025): July - August
Publisher : Belitung Raya Foundation

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.33546/bnj.3932

Abstract

Background: Patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) receiving chemotherapy experience multiple symptoms due to both disease progression and complications of treatment. These symptoms affect the physical, psychological, and social aspects of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Additionally, contextual variables of patients may also impact HRQoL. Objective: To test a structural equation model on symptom clusters, contextual variables, and HRQoL in patients with advanced CRC receiving chemotherapy. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from 300 patients with advanced CRC who had received chemotherapy at five hospitals in Bangkok, Thailand, between March 2023 and July 2023. Data collection instruments included a demographic data form, Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support questionnaire, Palliative Care Outcome Scale, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal questionnaire. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the model. Results: SEM showed a good model fit, with X2/df = 1.15, p = 0.20, CFI = 0.94, TLI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.03, and SRMR = 0.02. The symptom severity cluster dimension, symptom distress cluster dimension, social support, and palliative care outcomes predicted effects on HRQoL with 78% accuracy. The findings showed that the symptom severity and symptom distress cluster dimensions showed significant negative direct and positive indirect effects on HRQoL. Palliative care outcomes had a significant negative influence on HRQoL. Moreover, social support had direct positive and indirect negative influences on HRQoL. Conclusions: Symptom clusters, social support, and palliative care outcomes were identified as predictors of HRQoL in patients with advanced CRC receiving chemotherapy. Understanding the SEM of symptom clusters, social support, palliative care outcomes, and HRQoL may help nurses and other healthcare professionals develop effective interventions to better manage symptoms in patients with advanced CRC receiving chemotherapy.