Calidad de vida en pacientes oncológicos. Revisión Sistemática

Abstract

Cancer is one of the leading causes of reduced quality of life worldwide. This systematic review examines the functional status of oncology patients using the Karnofsky Performance Scale and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scale, aiming to identify patterns of impairment based on clinical and demographic factors. Methodology: A comprehensive search was conducted in scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and ProQuest. Studies published between 2019 and 2024 that used the scales mentioned above to assess patient functionality were selected. Observational and clinical studies with medium or high methodological quality were included and organized according to the type of cancer, age, sex, and progression rate (aggressive, indolent, or variable). Results: Twenty-five studies comprising 6,908 patients were analyzed. Aggressive cancers exhibited greater functional impairment (ECOG ≥2, Karnofsky ≤60), while those with indolent progression showed greater variability. Variable progression types showed the best functional levels. It was evidenced that patients over 70 years old showed greater impairment, while the relationship with gender was inconsistent. Conclusions: The Karnofsky and ECOG scales are effective tools for assessing functional quality of life. The rate of cancer progression directly impacts functional status, with aggressive tumors causing faster and more severe deterioration. These findings highlight the need for therapeutic strategies focused on functional preservation and patient well-being. Keywords: cancer, quality of life, ECOG, Karnofsky, oncology