A Comparati̇ve Evaluati̇on of the Effects of Covi̇d-19 on the Quali̇ty of Li̇fe Oncology Pati̇ents İn the World and İn Turkey

Aim: COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of life. With this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of the pandemic on the quality of life (QOL) of oncology patients. Material and Methods: This study was conducted on 220 outpatients and inpatients of medical oncology clinics of Gazi University Hospital, through face-to-face interviews in the period between August 2020 and February 2021. Data were collected with the WHOQOL Scale and the original questionnaire. Results: Being younger, being in a higher level of education, living in metropolitan cities, and having a higher salary; increased the patients' QOL. The physical subscale scores (SS) were found to be significantly lower in those who needed surgery, chemotherapy, and hospitalization (p<0.05). The social SS of those who continued their working life and the environmental SS of those whose care support was not affected were found to be significantly higher (p<0.05). The physical and psychological SS of those who did not think that COVID-19 "negatively affects the course of the disease" was significantly higher (p<0.05). The physical SS of those who experienced the anxiety of being infected with COVID-19 at a “moderate” level was found to be significantly lower (p<0.05). The physical and psychological SS of "outpatient" oncology patients were found to be significantly higher (p<0.05). The physical, psychological, social, and environmental SS of oncology patients with other chronic diseases were significantly lower (p<0.05). Any of the SS of the WHOQOL Scale did not show a significant difference according to gender, marital status, and employment status (p>0.05). Conclusıon: As the pandemic still continues, besides medical care, more intense psychological and social support should be provided to oncology patients.