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. 2020 Oct;29(10):2615-2630.
doi: 10.1007/s11136-020-02527-0. Epub 2020 May 19.

Calidad de Vida: a systematic review of quality of life in Latino cancer survivors in the USA

Cleo A Samuel  1   2 , Olive M Mbah  3 , Wendi Elkins  3 , Laura C Pinheiro  4 , Mary Anne Szymeczek  3 , Neda Padilla  5 , Jennifer S Walker  6 , Giselle Corbie-Smith  7
Affiliations

Calidad de Vida: a systematic review of quality of life in Latino cancer survivors in the USA

Cleo A Samuel et al. Qual Life Res. 2020 Oct.

Abstract

Background: Cancer is the leading cause of death among Hispanics/Latinos. Thus, understanding health-related quality of life (HRQOL) needs among this diverse racial/ethnic group is critical. Using Ferrell's multidimensional framework for measuring QOL, we synthesized evidence on HRQOL needs among Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO, for English language articles published between 1995 and January 2020, reporting HRQOL among Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors in the USA.

Results: Of the 648 articles reviewed, 176 met inclusion criteria, with 100 of these studies focusing exclusively on breast cancer patients and no studies examining end-of-life HRQOL issues. Compared with other racial/ethnic groups, Hispanics/Latinos reported lower HRQOL and a higher symptom burden across multiple HRQOL domains. Over 80% of studies examining racial/ethnic differences in psychological well-being (n = 45) reported worse outcomes among Hispanics/Latinos compared with other racial/ethnic groups. Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors were also more likely to report suboptimal physical well-being in 60% of studies assessing racial/ethnic differences (n = 27), and Hispanics/Latinos also reported lower social well-being relative to non-Hispanics/Latinos in 78% of studies reporting these outcomes (n = 32). In contrast, reports of spiritual well-being and spirituality-based coping were higher among Hispanics/Latinos cancer survivors in 50% of studies examining racial/ethnic differences (n = 15).

Discussion: Findings from this review point to the need for more systematic and tailored interventions to address HRQOL needs among this growing cancer survivor population. Future HRQOL research on Hispanics/Latinos should evaluate variations in HRQOL needs across cancer types and Hispanic/Latino subgroups and assess HRQOL needs during metastatic and end-of-life disease phases.

Keywords: Cancer survivor; Health-related quality of life; Latino; Supportive care.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Ferrell’s quality of life in cancer survivors
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Literature flow diagram
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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