J Korean Acad Nurs.  2009 Jun;39(3):433-445. 10.4040/jkan.2009.39.3.433.

Transition of Symptoms and Quality of Life in Cancer Patients on Chemotherapy

• Kim MY

• KMID: 999313
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2009.39.3.433

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess changes in pain, fatigue, anorexia, anxiety and quality of life (QOL) in patients with cancer who were on chemotherapy.
METHODS
Symptoms and QOL were examined both before chemotherapy and after 2 cycles of chemotherapy. The participants were 76 cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in one of 7 hospitals.
RESULTS
The patients experienced a mean of 2.22-2.23 symptoms out of 4 symptoms. Patients who were female, or suffered from breast or colorectal cancer experienced more symptoms. Fatigue at present, and most severe fatigue and anorexia in the previous 3 weeks increased significantly. Anxiety and QOL decreased significantly after 2 cycles of chemotherapy. Number of symptoms, anorexia at present, most severe anorexia in past 3 weeks, and anxiety had negative correlations. QOL before chemotherapy showed a positive correlation with QOL after 2 cycles of chemotherapy. In a regression analysis, anxiety, QOL at baseline, income, and the most severe pain in the past 3 weeks were significant predictors of QOL.
CONCLUSION
Physical and psychological factors were significant predictors of both QOL and each subscale, and these factors correlated with each other. These results demonstrate the needs for early assessment and intervention from the start of chemotherapy to decrease symptoms and improve QOL

Keyword

Quality of life; Symptoms; Chemotherapy; Cancer

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Anxiety
Demography
Fatigue
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Neoplasms/*drug therapy/*psychology
Pain
*Quality of Life
Risk Assessment

Figure

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  Figure 1 Number of symptom experience during chemotherapy (N=76).

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  Figure 2 Symptom experiences during chemotherapy (multiple response).

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