Abstract
IntroductionCancer-related fatigue greatly influences quality of life in cancer patients; however, no specific treatments have been established for cancer-related fatigue, and at present, no medication has been approved in Japan. Systematic research using patient-reported outcome to examine symptoms, particularly fatigue, has not been conducted in palliative care settings in Japan. The objective was to evaluate fatigue, pain, and quality of life in cancer patients at the point of intervention by palliative care teams.Materials and MethodsPatients who were referred to palliative care teams at three institutions and met the inclusion criteria were invited to complete the Brief Fatigue Inventory, Brief Pain Inventory, and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 15-Palliative.ResultsOf 183 patients recruited, the majority (85.8%) were diagnosed with recurrence or metastasis. The largest group (42.6%) comprised lung cancer patients, of whom 67.2% had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status of 0–1. The mean value for global health status/quality of life was 41.4, and the highest mean European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 15-Palliative symptom item score was for pain (51.0). The mean global fatigue score was 4.1, and 9.8%, 30.6%, 38.7%, and 20.8% of patients’ fatigue severity was classified as none (score 0), mild (1–3), moderate (4–6), and severe (7–10), respectively.DiscussionCancer-related fatigue, considered to occur more frequently in cancer patients, was successfully assessed using patient-reported outcomes with the Brief Fatigue Inventory for the first time in Japan. Results suggested that fatigue is potentially as problematic as pain, which is the main reason for palliative care.
Highlights
Cancer-related fatigue greatly influences quality of life in cancer patients; no specific treatments have been established for cancer-related fatigue, and at present, no medication has been approved in Japan
Results suggested that fatigue is potentially as problematic as pain, which is the main reason for palliative care
Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is defined as “a physical, emotional, and/or perceived fatigue or tiredness, with a persistent and subjective sense related to cancer or cancer treatments that is disproportionate to recent activities and interferes with usual functioning.”[1]. The prevalence of fatigue among advanced cancer patients or patients with bone metastasis is reported to be at least 75%, indicating a strong influence upon their quality of life (QOL) [2]
Summary
The objective of the study was to evaluate patients’ QOL and the prevalence of fatigue and pain at the point of PCT intervention, in order to elucidate relationships between fatigue, pain, and QOL
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