Kerstin Fuhrmann1, Anja Mehnert2, Kristina Geue1, Andreas Hinz3. 1. Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103, Leipzig, Germany. 2. Section of Psycho-Oncology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. 3. Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103, Leipzig, Germany. andreas.hinz@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Fatigue is a frequent symptom in breast cancer patients and breast cancer survivors. The aims of this study were to test a newly developed fatigue questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-FA13) and to detect prognostic factors of fatigue. METHODS: A total of 308 breast cancer patients (response rate: 91 %) were tested with the fatigue questionnaire EORTC QLQ-FA13 and the fatigue scale of the EORTC QLQ-C30. In addition, several other questionnaires were also adopted. RESULTS: The youngest age group of breast cancer patients was most strongly affected by fatigue. The psychometric analysis of the EORTC QLQ-FA13 supported a three-dimensional structure (physical, emotional, and cognitive fatigue). The reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.94) was very good. Clinical factors such as time since diagnosis and received therapy did not significantly predict the level of fatigue. CONCLUSION: Fatigue remains a severe problem in breast cancer patients, especially in younger women. Researchers or clinicians who want to measure fatigue have the choice between the short 3-item fatigue scale of the EORTC QLQ-C30, stressing the physical aspect of fatigue, and the long 13-item EORTC QLQ-FA13 scale with slightly better psychometric properties, including cognitive and emotional aspects of fatigue.
BACKGROUND:Fatigue is a frequent symptom in breast cancerpatients and breast cancer survivors. The aims of this study were to test a newly developed fatigue questionnaire (EORTCQLQ-FA13) and to detect prognostic factors of fatigue. METHODS: A total of 308 breast cancerpatients (response rate: 91 %) were tested with the fatigue questionnaire EORTCQLQ-FA13 and the fatigue scale of the EORTC QLQ-C30. In addition, several other questionnaires were also adopted. RESULTS: The youngest age group of breast cancerpatients was most strongly affected by fatigue. The psychometric analysis of the EORTCQLQ-FA13 supported a three-dimensional structure (physical, emotional, and cognitive fatigue). The reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.94) was very good. Clinical factors such as time since diagnosis and received therapy did not significantly predict the level of fatigue. CONCLUSION:Fatigue remains a severe problem in breast cancerpatients, especially in younger women. Researchers or clinicians who want to measure fatigue have the choice between the short 3-item fatigue scale of the EORTC QLQ-C30, stressing the physical aspect of fatigue, and the long 13-item EORTCQLQ-FA13 scale with slightly better psychometric properties, including cognitive and emotional aspects of fatigue.
Entities:
Keywords:
Cancer survivors; Fatigue; Psycho-oncology; Quality of life