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Symptom clusters in adults with chronic health problems and cancer as a comorbidity
Catherine M Bender1, Sandra J Engberg, Heidi S Donovan
1Associate professors School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. cbe100@pitt.edu
Purpose/Objectives:
To identify and compare symptom clusters in individuals with chronic health problems with cancer as a comorbidity versus individuals with chronic health problems who do not have cancer as a comorbidity and to explore the effect of symptoms on their quality of life.
Design:
Secondary analysis of data from two studies. Study 1 was an investigation of the efficacy of an intervention to improve medication adherence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Study 2 was an investigation of the efficacy of an intervention for urinary incontinence (UI) in older adults.
Setting:
School of Nursing at the University of Pittsburgh.
Sample:
The sample for study 1 was comprised of 639 adults with RA. The sample for study 2 was comprised of 407 adults with UI. A total of 154 (15%) subjects had a history of cancer, 56 (9%) of the subjects with RA and 98 (25%) of the subjects with UI.
Methods:
Analysis of existing comorbidity and symptom data collected from both studies.
Main Research Variables:
Symptom clusters, chronic disease, and cancer as a comorbidity.
Findings:
Individuals with chronic health problems who have cancer may not have unique symptom clusters compared to individuals with chronic health problems who do not have cancer.
Conclusions:
The symptom clusters experienced by the study participants may be more related to their primary chronic health problems and comorbidities.
Implications For Nursing:
Additional studies are needed to examine symptom clusters in cancer survivors. As individuals are living longer with the disease, a comprehensive understanding of the symptom clusters that may be unique to cancer survivors with comorbidities is critical.
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