Fatigue in cancer patients. A descriptive study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Psychology
• Medical Research

Background:

• Fatigue is a common and debilitating symptom for ovarian cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
• Understanding the factors influencing fatigue is crucial for improving patient quality of life during treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationships between fatigue and physical/psychological factors in women with ovarian cancer receiving chemotherapy.
• To identify potential correlations between fatigue levels and demographic, clinical, and psychological variables.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Rhoten Fatigue Scale (RFS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to assess fatigue and depression.
• Sample included 12 ovarian cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and 12 healthy controls.
• Analyzed relationships between fatigue, age, disease stage, treatment course, depression, and CA 125 levels.

Main Results:

• No significant relationships were found between fatigue and age, disease stage, treatment course, or depression scores.
• Weak-to-moderate correlations were observed between fatigue levels and CA 125 tumor marker levels.
• A moderately strong positive correlation (r = 0.68) existed between RFS scores and BDI fatigue items.
• Fatigue levels peaked around day 7 of the 28-day chemotherapy cycle and subsequently declined.

Conclusions:

• Fatigue in ovarian cancer patients during chemotherapy is complex and not strongly linked to common demographic or clinical factors.
• Depression and fatigue are moderately related, suggesting potential for combined symptom management.
• CA 125 levels may have a weak-to-moderate association with fatigue.
• A distinct fatigue trajectory exists during chemotherapy, with a peak in the first week of treatment.