Tóm tắt

Background: Cancer imposes a substantial health burden in Viet Nam. Health-related quality of life (QoL) is a key indicator of treatment and care effectiveness. Evidence on QoL among cancer inpatients at mountainous provincial hospitals remains limited.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of 303 patients aged ≥18 years. Data on demographics, clinical status, social support, mental health, and QoL were collected using the Vietnamese version (v3.0) of the EORTC QLQ-C30.

Results: Mean Global Health Status was 50.96 ± 24.07; overall QoL was 75.54 ± 17.65. Functional scales ranged 68.80–89.82 (highest: cognitive 89.82 ± 17.16; lowest: physical 68.80 ± 24.33). Financial difficulties averaged 53.14 ± 35.84. Prominent symptoms included loss of appetite 43.34 ± 27.77, fatigue 37.70 ± 29.68, pain 33.22 ± 27.13, and insomnia 32.89 ± 29.09. Factors increasing QoL: religious affiliation (β = 3.33; p = 0.020), light physical activity (β = 3.08; p = 0.034), and frequent encouragement/support from healthcare staff (β = 3.14; p = 0.037). Factors decreasingQoL: treatment costs paid by family (β = −4.58; p = 0.002), underweight (β = −2.97; p = 0.044), cancer stage III/IV(β = −8.42; p = 0.031; β = −12.05; p = 0.003), no improvement after treatment (β = −5.46; p = 0.002), depression (β = −9.79; p < 0.001), anxiety (β = −6.93; p < 0.001), and stress (β = −6.43; p = 0.001).

Conclusions: QoL among cancer inpatients in Kon Tum was moderate to fairly good. Comprehensive, routineinterventions—psychological counseling, nutritional support, appropriate physical activity, and enhanced communication and psychosocial support—are warranted, especially in mountainous provincial settings.