Open Access, Peer-reviewed
eISSN 2093-758X
    J Korean Acad Nurs. 2009 Jun;39(3):433-445. Korean.
    Published online Jun 29, 2009.
    https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2009.39.3.433
    Copyright © 2009 Korean Society of Nursing Science
    Original Article

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

    Min Young Kim
      • Researcher, Jeju Regional Cancer Center, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, Korea.
    • Address reprint requests to: Kim, Min Young. 107-204 Daelin APT, 800 Donam-dong, Jeju 690-806, Korea. Tel: 82-64-717-1508, Fax: 82-64-717-1487, Email: musemy2@hanmail.net
    Received August 27, 2008; Accepted June 02, 2009.

    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.

    Keywords
    Quality of life; Symptoms; Chemotherapy; Cancer

    Figures

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

    Figure 2
    Symptom experiences during chemotherapy (multiple response).

    Tables

    Table 1
    Demographic and Medical Characteristics of Participants (N=76)

    Table 2
    Changes in Pain, Fatigue, Anorexia, Anxiety and QOL (N=76)

    Table 3
    Symptom Clustering and Symptom Experience by General and Medical Characteristics (N=76)

    Table 4
    Number of Symptom Experience by General and Medical characteristics (N=76)

    Table 5
    Correlation between Number of Symptom, Each symptom and QOL

    Table 6
    Predictors for QOL and its Subscales After Chemotherapy

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