OBJECTIVES: Symptoms other than their primary disease can interfere in the lives of terminal cancer patients. We sought to identify which of these symptoms is most important. METHODS: We administered a questionnaire, including the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI), to 142 terminal cancer patients at the National Cancer Center, Korea. The validity of the MDASI was tested by principal-axis factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to determine the symptoms that interfered most in terminal cancer patients' lives. RESULTS: Factor analysis showed that it was composed of two factors (symptom and interference scales). Cronbach's alpha coefficients of symptom and interference scales were each >0.70. The patients had an average of 11 of 13 symptoms of the MDASI. Pain was the most common and severe, followed by feelings of distress and fatigue. Fatigue was the most highly correlated with interference sum. In stepwise multiple regression analysis, the most interfering symptom was fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Although pain was the most common and severe symptom, fatigue was the most important symptom interfering in the lives of terminal cancer patients. In treating terminal cancer patients, healthcare providers should actively intervene to reduce both fatigue and pain.
OBJECTIVES: Symptoms other than their primary disease can interfere in the lives of terminal cancerpatients. We sought to identify which of these symptoms is most important. METHODS: We administered a questionnaire, including the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI), to 142 terminal cancerpatients at the National Cancer Center, Korea. The validity of the MDASI was tested by principal-axis factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to determine the symptoms that interfered most in terminal cancerpatients' lives. RESULTS: Factor analysis showed that it was composed of two factors (symptom and interference scales). Cronbach's alpha coefficients of symptom and interference scales were each >0.70. The patients had an average of 11 of 13 symptoms of the MDASI. Pain was the most common and severe, followed by feelings of distress and fatigue. Fatigue was the most highly correlated with interference sum. In stepwise multiple regression analysis, the most interfering symptom was fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Although pain was the most common and severe symptom, fatigue was the most important symptom interfering in the lives of terminal cancerpatients. In treating terminal cancerpatients, healthcare providers should actively intervene to reduce both fatigue and pain.
Authors: Isrid Sturm; Johanna Baak; Benjamin Storek; Annette Traore; Peter Thuss-Patience Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2014-03-27 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Sang Min Park; Young Jin Kim; Samyong Kim; Jong Soo Choi; Ho-Yeong Lim; Youn Seon Choi; Young Seon Hong; Si-Young Kim; Dae Seog Heo; Ki Moon Kang; Hyun Sik Jeong; Chang Geol Lee; Do Ho Moon; Jin-Young Choi; In Sik Kong; Young Ho Yun Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2009-05-31 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Richard R Reich; Cecile A Lengacher; Kevin E Kip; Steven C Shivers; Michael J Schell; Melissa M Shelton; Raymond H Widen; Catherine Newton; Michelle K Barta; Carly L Paterson; Jerrica R Farias; Charles E Cox; Thomas W Klein Journal: Biol Res Nurs Date: 2014-01-28 Impact factor: 2.522