BACKGROUND: The investigation of the clustering of symptoms in patients with cancer is still at an early stage. Initial evidence suggests symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue and anxiety occur concurrently. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the existence of a symptom cluster involving breathlessness, fatigue and anxiety in Chinese patients with advanced lung cancer undergoing palliative radiotherapy (RT). METHODS: The study was conducted in an oncology out-patient unit of a publicly funded hospital in Hong Kong. A convenience sample of 140 patients were asked to complete a set of questionnaires at four time points including the A-state scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, a breathlessness visual analog scale and the intensity subscale of the revised Piper Fatigue Scale at four points: 1 day prior to RT (baseline) (T0), and at week 3 (T1), week 6 (T2) and week 12 (T3) after the commencement of the RT. RESULTS: Between 64-73% of patients experienced all three symptoms concurrently across T0-T3. The prevalence of anxiety, fatigue and breathlessness ranged from 65-97% respectively. Intensities of breathlessness and fatigue were highest at T1. Significant correlations between the three symptoms were moderate across time (r < 0.50). CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATION: The high prevalence of the symptom cluster demonstrates a need to assess and manage these symptoms simultaneously in patients with advanced lung cancer.
BACKGROUND: The investigation of the clustering of symptoms in patients with cancer is still at an early stage. Initial evidence suggests symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue and anxiety occur concurrently. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the existence of a symptom cluster involving breathlessness, fatigue and anxiety in Chinese patients with advanced lung cancer undergoing palliative radiotherapy (RT). METHODS: The study was conducted in an oncology out-patient unit of a publicly funded hospital in Hong Kong. A convenience sample of 140 patients were asked to complete a set of questionnaires at four time points including the A-state scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, a breathlessness visual analog scale and the intensity subscale of the revised Piper Fatigue Scale at four points: 1 day prior to RT (baseline) (T0), and at week 3 (T1), week 6 (T2) and week 12 (T3) after the commencement of the RT. RESULTS: Between 64-73% of patients experienced all three symptoms concurrently across T0-T3. The prevalence of anxiety, fatigue and breathlessness ranged from 65-97% respectively. Intensities of breathlessness and fatigue were highest at T1. Significant correlations between the three symptoms were moderate across time (r < 0.50). CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATION: The high prevalence of the symptom cluster demonstrates a need to assess and manage these symptoms simultaneously in patients with advanced lung cancer.