Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40167835›Full record

Observational studySupportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer2025

Association of GI symptoms with health-related quality of life in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: a prospective study.

Ramadevi Obulapuram, Pavan Kumar Narapaka, Chindu Esuru, Manisha Singh, Sameer Dhingra

Abstract readObservational Study
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Observational study in Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Ramadevi ObulapuramDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Hajipur, Dist. Vaishali, Bihar, India.
Pavan Kumar NarapakaDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Hajipur, Dist. Vaishali, Bihar, India.
Chindu EsuruDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Hajipur, Dist. Vaishali, Bihar, India.
Manisha SinghDepartment of Medical Oncology, Mahavir Cancer Sansthan and Research Centre (MCSRC), Patna, Bihar, India.
Sameer DhingraDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Hajipur, Dist. Vaishali, Bihar, India. sameerdhingra78@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2537-8889

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeChemotherapy, a primary cancer treatment, often leads to debilitating gastrointestinal (GI) side effects, significantly impacting health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study investigates the prevalence and impact of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms on HRQoL in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in Bihar, India.

methodsThis prospective observational study enrolled 246 chemotherapy patients (≥ 18 years) over 9 months. GI symptoms and HRQoL were assessed using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) and Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaires. Data analysis employed SPSS v.27, with t-tests determining significant associations.

resultsMild GI symptoms were prevalent (72.8% reported mild pain; 84.6% reported mild heartburn), while severe nausea (81.7%) and diarrhea (56.1%) were notable. A significant correlation existed between symptom severity and HRQoL decline (t = 15.35, p < 0.01). Severe symptoms substantially reduced HRQoL, particularly in pain (from 498.2 to 464.2), heartburn (from 493.6 to 483.4), nausea (from 497.2 to 492.1), diarrhea (from 494.9 to 473.3), and constipation (from 487.8 to 467.7), with declines in QoL scores ranging from 4.6 to 34.0 points across symptom categories, indicating a significant impact on patients' quality of life.

conclusionGI symptoms significantly impair HRQoL in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, affecting physical functioning, emotional well-being, social interactions, energy levels, and overall health. A multidisciplinary approach, incorporating psychological support and social rehabilitation, is crucial for managing symptoms and enhancing patient well-being.

Indexed as

Antineoplastic AgentsGastrointestinal DiseasesNeoplasmsQuality of LifeAdultAgedDiarrheaFemaleHumansIndiaMaleMiddle AgedNauseaPrevalenceProspective StudiesSeverity of Illness IndexAntineoplastic AgentsCancerChemotherapyGastrointestinal symptomsGSRSHealth-related quality of lifeSF-36

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.