Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Longitudinal trends in skin-related and global quality of life among women with breast radiodermatitis: A pilot study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the relationship between skin-related quality of life (SR-QOL) and global quality of life (G-QOL) among women experiencing breast radiodermatitis, measure change in SR-QOL and G-QOL between the start and fifth week on radiotherapy, and examine the trend in SR-QOL and severity of radiodermatitis over time on treatment.

METHODS: A descriptive longitudinal study using repeated measurements was implemented. Forty women undergoing whole breast 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy at a comprehensive community cancer center completed the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) weekly and Quality of Life-Breast Cancer Patient Version at baseline before and at five weeks on radiotherapy. Skin toxicity was measured weekly using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) Acute Radiation Morbidity Scoring Criteria-Skin scale. A Kendall's tau correlation explored the relationship between measures of SR-QOL and G-QOL. Paired t-tests measured the change in SR-QOL and G-QOL from baseline to fifth week on radiotherapy. The mean of the baseline and weekly total DLQI and RTOG scores was calculated and plotted on a graph.

RESULTS: In general, SR-QOL and G-QOL were highly correlated. SR-QOL changed profoundly (p < .001) while G-QOL did not change (p = .55) between baseline and five weeks on radiotherapy. SR-QOL and radiodermatitis steadily worsened over time.

CONCLUSIONS: Radiation-induced skin toxicity has a major impact on SR-QOL but not G-QOL. This study provides much-needed scientific evidence to inform a larger future study in a community setting. Recommendations for future studies include inclusion of a skin-sensitive survey of radiodermatitis; larger, more diverse community-dwelling sample.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app