Health-Related Quality of Life in Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer: An Integrative Review.

Aim: To examine current evidence on health-related quality of life and its associated factors in women with metastatic breast cancer over the past 10 years.

Design: An integrative review.

Data Sources: We conducted a comprehensive search across five databases: CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science, for studies published between January 2013 and June 2023.

Review Methods: Following the integrative review guideline, we screened full-text papers based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute's appraisal checklist, and the data were extracted and synthesised.

Results: Of 7316 articles, 25 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most of the participants were non-Hispanic white women from the United States or Europe. Various instruments were used to assess health-related quality of life. The key factors included sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, physical symptoms and function, disease stability and progression, and psychological attributes. Although targeted agents and immunotherapy are common therapies today, data on their side effects and health-related quality of life remain limited. Literature gaps included a lack of racially diverse samples, an absence of data on protective factors, and limited insights into symptom experience with novel therapies.

Conclusions: Physical and psychological symptoms were still the major influencing factors. Clinicians should prioritise symptom management in women. Future research is needed to increase racial diversity in the study and explore novel agents related to symptoms and protective factors that may improve health-related quality of life.

Impact: Women with metastatic breast cancer experience compromised health-related quality of life. Understanding which factors influence their quality of life, particularly those on novel therapies is critical for providing high-quality, individualised care and developing targeted interventions to improve their well-being.

Reporting Method: PRISMA.

No Patient Or Public Contribution: This integrative review does not need patient or public contribution.