Abstract
Fatigue is commonly associated with cancer and its therapy. The assessment of fatigue became increasingly important in cancer patients, as clinical interview may not indicate the severity of fatigue. Subjective assessment of fatigue in multi-dimensi ons indicates the level of severity of fatigue clearly to therapist, and the scores can be used to monitor response to cancer therapy. This study showed that the Revised Piper Fatigue Scale in Malay is a reliable and valid assessment tool. In 112 patients receiving external radiotherapy for various cancers, there was no significant difference of fatigue levels between gender and age ranges. Fatigue was significantly worse in nasopharengeal carcinoma on radiotherapy, presumably due to higher dose of radiation.
Highlights
Fatigue and tiredness may be mentioned interchangeably in conversation, but clinically, fatigue is more pervasive in nature, described as an unusual sense of tiredness not usually relieved by either a good night’s sleep or rest
The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the validity and reliability of the revised Piper Fatigue Scale in Malay, and to identify the fatigue dimensions that are affected in cancer patients receiving external radiotherapy
There was no significant difference in fatigue between those who only received radiotherapy or those who have received a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy
Summary
Fatigue and tiredness may be mentioned interchangeably in conversation, but clinically, fatigue is more pervasive in nature, described as an unusual sense of tiredness not usually relieved by either a good night’s sleep or rest. Tiredness or acute fatigue is protective in function and time limited (1). Different to the protective function of acute fatigue, chronic or pervasive fatigue complicate many type of disorders and their therapy. In both forms, i.e. either as symptoms of primary illness or complication of therapy, fatigue caused distress, disturbed functions and impaired quality of life of cancer patients. Fatigue is one of the most common complaints of people with cancer (2). Fatigue exists in 14% to 96% of people with cancer (3,4)
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