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Symptom experience in Korean patients with liver cirrhosis
Soo-Hyun Kim1, Eui-Geum Oh, Won-Hee Lee
1Quality of Cancer Care Branch, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Gyeonggi, South Korea. hhunny@naver.com
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
|April 25, 2006
Summary
Korean patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) reported low overall symptom experience, with fatigue and abdominal issues being most common. Disease severity significantly impacts symptom experience, necessitating tailored management programs.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Gastroenterology
- Clinical Nursing
Background:
- Liver cirrhosis (LC) is a significant health concern in Korea.
- Understanding patient symptom experience is crucial for effective management.
- Symptom variation requires investigation in relation to clinical and demographic factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the level of symptom experience in Korean patients with liver cirrhosis.
- To identify variations in symptom experience based on demographic and clinical variables.
- To inform the development of tailored symptom management strategies.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive correlational study design was employed.
- 129 Korean patients with liver cirrhosis participated.
- Symptom experience was measured using a researcher-developed scale.
Main Results:
- Overall symptom experience was relatively low (mean 41.67, SD 24.71).
- Key symptoms requiring management included fatigue, abdominal distension/edema, and muscle cramps.
- Liver cirrhosis severity (P < 0.001) and hospitalization frequency (P = 0.014) significantly correlated with symptom experience.
Conclusions:
- Symptom assessment in liver cirrhosis necessitates a multidimensional approach.
- Disease severity is a critical factor in tailoring symptom management programs.
- Personalized interventions are imperative for improving patient outcomes in Korean liver cirrhosis patients.
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