Background: Currently, there are no studies aimed at evaluating the quality of life (QoL) of patients with end-stage disease during hospitalization and the factors that influence it.
Aim: The aim of the research was to identify predictors of change in the QoL of patients hospitalized due to advanced stage of disease.
Methods: The sample consisted of 140 patients with end-stage disease who were hospitalized on this account. For evaluation of QoL, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) was used. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Karnofsky Performance Status questionnaires were used for the assessment of mental and functional status. For the evaluation of predictors of negative change in QoL, a logistic regression analysis was used.
Results: During hospitalization, there was a significant deterioration in the scores given for all domains of the functional QLQ-C30 scale, but not the symptomatic scale. Predictors of change in overall QoL detected were marital status, improved functional status, and depression detected on admission to hospital. Gender and age were found to be protective factors against deterioration in overall QoL.
Conclusion: Sociodemographic characteristics and mental and functional status may be associated with change in QoL of patients with end-stage disease during hospitalization.
Keywords: HRQoL; anxiety; depression; end of life.