Abstract

OBJECTIVES :The relationship between pain quality of life (QOL) anxiety and depression in cancer patients is complex due to the number and the diversity of factors that can influence pain anxiety, depression and QOL. The aims of this study of oncology patients was focused only in thoracolumbar bone metastasis before and after kyphoplasties. DESIGN AND METHODS: We determine the pain characteristics (severity, duration, meaning of pain, physical functioning, social functioning) with Euro Qual, psychological distress (anxiety and depression), with HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and determine which of these variables improved after kyphoplasties. A total of 47 oncology patients with bone vertebra metastasis completed questionnaires that evaluated pain, QOL, anxiety, depression, physical functioning, and social functioning. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the relationships among the study variables. RESULTS: A multiple regression analysis was performed to determine which variables were the most important predictors of QOL of life and depression. Pain was significantly correlated with all the other variables, in particular pain intensity, depression and QOL The most important factors that predicted QOL were depression, social functioning, and physical functioning. Pain and Depression improved dramatically after kyphoplasties in a follow up of 6 months period in 91.58% (43/47). CONCLUSION: Kyphoplasty was a very effective technique for quality of life in vertebra metastatic disease.