Investigation of the influence of symptom clusters and related interference on the daily activities of colorectal cancer patients during the chemotherapy

Abstract

Objective To investigate the influence of symptom incidence, severity, symptom clusters and related interference on the daily activities of colorectal cancer patients during the chemotherapy. Methods A sample of 112 colorectal cancer patients during the chemotherapy has been presented by M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI-GI)of Chinese Version. Exploratory factor and regression analysis are utilized to discuss influence of symptoms on the daily activities of patients. Results For patients with colorectal cancer after chemotherapy, the high incidence of symptoms are successively fatigue [99.1% (111/112) ], sadness [98.2% (110/112) ] and changes in taste [97.3% (109/112) ]. Meanwhile, the severe symptoms are successively fatigue [92.8% (104/112) ], disturbed sleep [92.0% (103/112) ] and dry mouth. Furthermore, four symptom clusters are identified as upper-gastrointestinal symptom cluster, emotional symptom cluster, fatigue-related symptom cluster and excretion-related symptom cluster which possess statistical significance to the daily activities of patients (R2=0.782,F=96.071,P<0.01). They were effective predictors factors of symptom distress. Conclusions Due to high relapse rate and severe condition, colorectal cancer patients during chemotherapy suffer from multiple symptoms which affect seriously daily activities of patients. Consequently, Medical staff should give prompt and accurate assessment, and then take specific intervening measures to alleviate the patients' symptom so as to improve patients' living conditions. Key words: Colorectal neoplasms; Symptom cluster; Symptom interference; M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory