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Study of symptom clusters in brain tumor patients 2 weeks after craniotomy
Rongqing Li1, Zikai Zhang2, Yawen Wu3
1Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
Background:
This study aimed to identify potential symptom clusters among primary brain tumor patients using factor analysis. Understanding these clusters enables better-targeted interventions post-craniotomy.
Methods:
A total of 211 participants visiting Department of Neurosurgery at Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital for proposed surgical treatment between January 2021 and March 2022 were enrolled. Two weeks after craniotomy, the patients' symptoms were measured using MDASI-BT (M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory Brain Tumor Module), and factor analysis was performed to identify symptom clusters.
Results:
A total of three symptom clusters, i.e., symptom cluster 1, symptom cluster 2, and symptom cluster 3, were identified. Among them, symptom cluster 1 represented the fatigue-related symptom cluster, including fatigue, lethargy, dry mouth, pain, and sleep disturbance (Cronbach's α = 0.742); symptom cluster 2 represented the gut-brain axis symptom cluster, including loss of appetite, weakness in one side of the body, and change in bowel habits (Cronbach's α = 0.532); and symptom cluster 3 represented the self-image symptom cluster, including change in appearance, sadness, and distress (Cronbach's α = 0.547).
Conclusion:
This study identified three potential symptom clusters among primary brain tumor patients. Understanding these clusters could well contribute to earlier interventions and improved quality of care.
