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Fatigue patterns in Chinese patients receiving chemotherapy
1Department of Nursing, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong.
Summary
Most Chinese cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy experience significant fatigue, peaking around day 3 post-treatment. Female patients, early-stage cancer, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma were linked to higher fatigue levels.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Psychology
- Nursing
Background:
- Fatigue is a prevalent and debilitating side effect for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
- Understanding the specific patterns, risk factors, and patient experiences of fatigue is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the patterns, risk factors, and lived experiences of fatigue in Chinese cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
- To identify key demographic and clinical factors associated with fatigue intensity.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive study involving 42 adult cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in Hong Kong.
- Data collection included patient diaries with visual analogue scales (VAS) for fatigue and body temperature, the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire, medical record review, and semi-structured interviews with a subset of patients.
Main Results:
- A high prevalence of fatigue was observed (73.8%-90.5%), with peak intensity reported on day 3 post-treatment and more pronounced evening symptoms.
- Higher fatigue levels were significantly associated with female gender, stage I cancer, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (P<0.05).
- A significant association was found between febrile illness and fatigue (P<0.001), while body weight showed no correlation.
Conclusions:
- Fatigue is a common and significant issue for Chinese cancer patients on chemotherapy, with identifiable patterns and risk factors.
- Individualized assessment and management strategies, addressing treatable factors like febrile illness, are recommended to alleviate patient fatigue.