Tuba ERYİĞİT, Şenay UZUN
Turkish Journal of Oncology - 2025;40(4):293-302
This study aims to investigate the effect of neuropathic pain on quality of life in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. This study included 100 patients with chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain, recruited between April 2019 and October 2020 from the outpatient chemotherapy and inpatient oncology-hematology clinics of a foundation university hospital in Istanbul and the outpatient chemotherapy unit of a public hospital. Data were collected using the Chemotherapy-Related Peripheral Neuropathy Form, Visual Analog Scale, Neuropathic Pain Scale, and Neuropathic Pain Impact on Quality of Life Questionnaire. The mean age of participants was 56.7+/-11.2 years; 42% were aged >=61 and 62% were women. While 94% had received information about treatment and side effects, 74% attributed pain to the disease. Mean scores were 17.15+/-4.15 for neuropathic pain, 6.64+/-1.96 for pain intensity, and 147.56+/-62.44 for quality of life. Neuropathic pain intensity was higher in patients <=50 years, women, employed individuals, and those receiving the third chemotherapy cycle compared to later cycles. The impact of neuropathic pain on quality of life was significantly greater in patients at the third versus fifth cycle and in those with color changes in the pain area (p<0.05). A strong positive correlation was observed between neuropathic pain and quality of life. As neuropathic pain severity was associated with individual and treatment-related factors and with patients' quality of life, recommendations include routine assessment, patient and nurse education, and further evidence-based research.
