Prevalence and impact of severe fatigue in adolescent and young adult cancer patients in comparison with population-based controls.
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Embargo End Date
ICR Authors
Authors
Poort, H
Kaal, SEJ
Knoop, H
Jansen, R
Prins, JB
Manten-Horst, E
Servaes, P
Husson, O
van der Graaf, WTA
Kaal, SEJ
Knoop, H
Jansen, R
Prins, JB
Manten-Horst, E
Servaes, P
Husson, O
van der Graaf, WTA
Document Type
Journal Article
Date
2017-09-01
Date Accepted
2017-05-08
Abstract
PURPOSE: The current study determined the prevalence of severe fatigue in adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients (aged 18-35 years at diagnosis) consulting a multidisciplinary AYA team in comparison with gender- and age-matched population-based controls. In addition, impact of severe fatigue on quality of life and correlates of fatigue severity were examined. METHODS: AYAs with cancer (n = 83) completed questionnaires including the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS-fatigue), Quality of Life (QoL)-Cancer Survivor, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (reflecting psychological distress), and the Cancer Worry Scale (reflecting fear of cancer recurrence or progression). RESULTS: The vast majority of participants had been treated with chemotherapy (87%) and had no active treatment at the time of participation (73.5%). Prevalence of severe fatigue (CIS-fatigue score ≥35) in AYAs with cancer (48%, n = 40/83) was significantly higher in comparison with matched population-based controls (20%, n = 49/249; p < .001). Severely fatigued AYAs with cancer reported lower QoL compared to non-severely fatigued AYAs with cancer (p < .05). Female gender, being unemployed, higher disease stage (III-IV) at diagnosis, receiving active treatment at the time of study participation, being treated with palliative intent, having had radiotherapy, higher fear of recurrence or progression, and higher psychological distress were significantly correlated with fatigue severity (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Severe fatigue based on a validated cut-off score was highly prevalent in this group of AYAs with cancer. QoL is significantly affected by severe fatigue, stressing the importance of detection and management of this symptom in those patients affected by a life-changing diagnosis of cancer in late adolescence or young adulthood.
Citation
Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 2017, 25 (9), pp. 2911 - 2918
Source Title
Publisher
SPRINGER
ISSN
0941-4355
eISSN
1433-7339
Collections
Research Team
Clinical and Translational Sarcoma