Table 1.

Descriptive Characteristics of the Studies Included on Patients’ Perspective

Authors, Year	Study Design	Participants† n, M (SD)	Type of Chronic Condition	Question Relevance	Measures of QoL	Main Results
Gonçalves et al, 2020	Retrospective (quantitative design)	20, 65.3 (NE)	Different cancer syndromes: Digestive, Head/Neck, Breast, Genitourinary, Bone, CNS, Synchronous	QoL, Functionality	EQ-5D-3L PDI	Negative relationship between CP and total QoL, specifically CP has decreased daily and social activities, physical well-being, psychological well-being, family/home responsibility, recreation, life-support activities, occupation, and sexual behaviors.
Cox-Martin et al, 2020	Cross-sectional (quantitative design)	1702, NE	Breast Cancer and others (NS)	QoL, Employment status	HRQoL module of the BRFSS	Negative relationships between uncontrolled CP and all QoL domains (physical well-being, psychological well-being, daily activities).
Hamood et al, 2018	Cross-sectional (quantitative design)	305, 63.8 (13.9)	Breast Cancer	QoL, Employment status	SF-36	Negative relationships between CP and all general QoL domains (physical and mental health, physical and social functioning, emotional and physical role, vitality), CP and work re-entry and/ or maintenance.
Smith et al, 2018	Cross-sectional (qualitative design)	128, 57.5 (8.9)	Breast Cancer	QoL, Attachment	FACT-B	Negative relationships between attachment styles (anxiety, avoidance) and total QoL, attachment styles and social well-being; attachment anxiety also predicted worse functional and emotional well-being.
Barrett et al, 2017	Cross-sectional (quantitative design)	121, 63.2 (13.3)	Different cancer syndromes: Breast, Lung, Head/Neck, others (NS)	QoL	FACT-G, Version 4	A better total QoL was predicted by higher school education, having a caregiver, lower level of psychological distress, lower level of pain intensity and interference.
Feddern et al, 2015	Cross-sectional (quantitative design)	426, NE	Rectal Cancer	QoL	EORTC-QLQ-C30	Negative relationships between CP and total QoL, CP and all QoL domains (social, emotional, and physical functioning).
Mols et al, 2013	Cohort (quantitative design)	1643, 69.4 (9.4)	Colorectal Cancer	QoL	EORTC-QLQ-C30	Patients with many chronic neuropathy symptoms (upper 10%) reported worse scores in all QoL domains (general health, physical, role, cognitive, emotional, and social functioning) and more additional symptoms.
Peretti-Watel et al, 2012	Cohort (qualitative and quantitative design)	10, 48.6 (20.5)	Breast Cancer	QoL	WHOQOL-BREF	Living daily with CP has decreased total QoL, specifically the satisfaction in everyday activities and the activity limitation.
Pühse et al, 2012	Cohort (quantitative design)	238, 35.2 (9.3)	Testis Cancer	Sexuality	BSFI IIEF-5	Negative correlation between chronic testicular pain and sexual dysfunctions.
Green et al, 2011	Cross-sectional (quantitative design)	40 (current CP) 80 (CP since diagnosis), NE	Different cancer syndromes: Breast Prostate, Colorectal, Lung, Others (NS), Multiple Myeloma	QoL, Depression, Functionality	EORTC-QLQ-C30 PDI CES-D	Current CP has decreased several domains of QoL (general health, physical, social, and role functioning); while additional symptoms and financial difficulties were increased. CP since diagnosis has decreased all QoL domains (general health, physical, role, emotional, cognitive, and social functioning; while depression, additional symptoms, and financial difficulties were increased.
Burckhardt et al, 2005	Cross-sectional (quantitative design)	23, 56.8 (5.5) patients with regional pain 58.7 (8.6) patients with widespread pain	Breast Cancer	QoL	FACT-B SF-36	Poorer scores on all QoL domains (physical, emotional, functional well-being, additional concerns) in patients with widespread CP compared to patients with regional one.
Caffo et al, 2003	Retrospective (quantitative design)	210, NE	Breast Cancer	QoL	QoLQ	Poorer scores on all QoL domains (physical, social, and psychological well-being, physical autonomy).
Monga et al, 1998	Cross-sectional (quantitative design)	70, 49.9 (NE)	Different types of chronic illness: Cancer, Arthritis, Neuralgia, Headache, Diabetic Neuropathy	Sexuality, Depression	DISF CES-D HSCL-21	Negative correlations between CP and sexual functioning (drive, arousal, behaviour, orgasm, drive), except for fantasy. More sexual problems were experienced in patients with depression, distress, and those who adopted passive coping strategies than patients with active ones.

Note: ^†with chronic pain.

Abbreviations: NE, not estimable; NS, not specified; CP, chronic pain; CNS, central nervous system; QoL, quality of life; QoLQ, Quality of Life Questionnaire; FACT-B, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast; FACT-G, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General; WHOQOL-BREF, World Health Organization Quality of Life; EQ-5D-3L, European Quality of Life Five Dimensions Questionnaire; PDI, Pain Disability Index; EORTC-QLQ-C30, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer – 30-item Quality of Life Questionnaire; IIEF-5, International Index of Erectile Function; BSFI, Brief Sexual Functioning Inventory; DISF, Derogatis Inventory of Sexual Functioning; CES-D, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale; HSCL-21, Hopkins Symptom Checklist.