Assessing fatigue in childhood cancer survivors: Psychometric properties of the Checklist Individual Strength and the Short Fatigue Questionnaire--a DCCSS LATER study

Different subtypes of chronic fatigue in childhood cancer survivors: A DCCSS LATER study

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the current study was to investigate whether subtypes of chronic fatigue (CF) can be identified in childhood cancer survivors (CCS), and if so, to determine the characteristics of participants with a specific subtype.

METHODS

Participants were included from the nationwide DCCSS LATER cohort. The Checklist Individual Strength (CIS) was completed to assess fatigue. Participants with CF (scored ≥35 on the fatigue severity subscale and indicated to suffer from fatigue for ≥6 months) were divided into subgroups using two-step cluster analysis based on the CIS concentration, motivation, and physical activity subscales. Differences between groups on demographics, psychosocial, lifestyle, and treatment-related variables were determined using ANOVA and chi-square analyses (univariable) and multinomial regression analysis (multivariable).

RESULTS

A total of 1910 participants participated in the current study (n = 450 with CF; n = 1460 without CF). Three CF subgroups were identified: Subgroup 1 (n = 133, 29% of participants) had CF with problems in physical activity; Subgroup 2 (n = 111, 25% of participants) had CF with difficulty concentrating; and Subgroup 3 (n = 206, 46% of participants) had multi-dimensional CF. Compared to Subgroup 1, Subgroup 2 more often reported sleep problems, limitations in social functioning, and less often have more than two comorbidities. Subgroup 3 more often reported depression, sleep problems, a lower self-esteem, and limitations in social functioning and a lower educational level compared to Subgroup 1.

CONCLUSION

Different subgroups of CCS with CF can be identified based on fatigue dimensions physical activity, motivation and concentration. Results suggest that different intervention strategies, tailored for each subgroup, might be beneficial.

Understanding the association between fatigue and neurocognitive functioning in patients with glioma: A cross-sectional multinational study

Background

Fatigue and neurocognitive impairment are highly prevalent in patients with glioma, significantly impacting health-related quality of life. Despite the presumed association between these two factors, evidence remains sparse. Therefore, we aimed to investigate this relationship using multinational data.

Methods

We analyzed data on self-reported fatigue and neurocognitive outcomes from postoperative patients with glioma from the University of California San Francisco (n = 100, UCSF) and Amsterdam University Medical Center (n = 127, Amsterdam UMC). We used multiple linear regression models to assess associations between fatigue and seven (sub)domains of neurocognitive functioning and latent profile analysis to identify distinct patterns of fatigue and neurocognitive functioning.

Results

UCSF patients were older (median age 49 vs. 43 years, P = .002), had a higher proportion of grade 4 tumors (32% vs. 18%, P = .03), and had more neurocognitive deficits (P = .01). While the number of clinically fatigued patients was similar between sites (64% vs. 58%, P = .12), fatigue and the number of impaired neurocognitive domains were not correlated (P = .16-.72). At UCSF, neurocognitive domains were not related to fatigue, and at Amsterdam UMC attention and semantic fluency explained only 4-7% of variance in fatigue. Across institutions, we identified four distinct patterns of neurocognitive functioning, which were not consistently associated with fatigue.

Conclusions

Although individual patients might experience both fatigue and neurocognitive impairment, the relationship between the two is weak. Consequently, both fatigue and neurocognitive functioning should be independently assessed and treated with targeted therapies.

Effect of a 1-year physical activity intervention on quality of life, fatigue, and distress in adult childhood cancer survivors-A randomized controlled trial (SURfit)

INTRODUCTION

Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are at risk of experiencing lower quality-of-life, fatigue, and depression. Few randomized controlled trials have studied the effect of physical activity (PA) on these in adult long-term CCS. This study investigated the effect of a 1-year individualized PA intervention on health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL), fatigue, and distress symptoms in adult CCS.

METHODS

The SURfit trial randomized 151 CCS ≥16 years old, <16 at diagnosis and ≥5 years since diagnosis, identified through the Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry. Intervention participants received personalized PA counselling to increase intense PA by ≥2.5 h/week for 1 year. Controls maintained usual PA levels. The authors assessed physical- and mental-HRQOL, fatigue, and distress symptoms at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. T-scores were calculated using representative normative populations (mean = 50, standard deviation = 10). Generalized linear mixed-effects models with intention-to-treat (ITT, primary), and three per-protocol allocations were used.

RESULTS

At 12 months, ITT (-3.56 larger decrease, 95% confidence interval -5.69 to -1.43, p = .001) and two per-protocol analyses found significantly lower fatigue. Physical-HRQOL improved significantly in two per-protocol analyses at 12 months. No other effects were found.

CONCLUSION

SURfit showed that increased intense PA over 1 year improved fatigue in adult CCS. Survivors should be recommended PA to reduce the burden of late-effects.

Prevalence and factors associated with cancer-related fatigue in Swiss adult survivors of childhood cancer

PURPOSE

Reported prevalence of cancer-related fatigue (CRF) among childhood cancer survivors (CCS) varies widely, and evidence on factors associated with CRF among CCS is limited. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of CRF and its associated factors among adult CCS in Switzerland.

METHODS

In a prospective cohort study, we invited adult CCS who survived at least 5 years since last cancer diagnosis, and were diagnosed when age 0-20 years and treated at Inselspital Bern between 1976 and 2015 to complete two fatigue-measuring instruments: the Checklist Individual Strength subjective fatigue subscale (CIS8R; increased fatigue 27-34, severe fatigue ≥ 35) and the numerical rating scale (NRS; moderate fatigue 4-6, severe fatigue 7-10). We collected information about previous cancer treatment and medical history, and calculated β coefficients for the association between CIS8R/NRS fatigue scores and potential determinants using multivariable linear regression.

RESULTS

We included 158 CCS (participation rate: 30%) with a median age at study of 33 years (interquartile range 26-38). Based on CIS8R, 19% (N = 30) of CCS reported increased fatigue, yet none reported severe fatigue. CRF was associated with female sex, central nervous system (CNS) tumors, sleep disturbance, and endocrine disorders. Lower CRF levels were observed among CCS age 30-39 years compared to those younger.

CONCLUSIONS

A considerable proportion of adult CCS reported increased levels of CRF.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

CCS who are female and < 30 years old, have a history of CNS tumor, report sleep disturbance, or have an endocrine disorder should be screened for CRF.

Dental Implant Corrosion Products May Accumulate in the Human Body

BACKGROUND

Corrosion products resulting from the degradation of the dental implant surface due to biological fluids and infection may accumulate in the body and lead to clinical consequences.

PURPOSE

The primary aim of this study is to measure the accumulation of dental implant corrosion products in the human body and the secondary aim is to estimate the association between corrosion products and fatigue.

STUDY DESIGN, SETTING, SAMPLE

This study was designed as a prospective cross-sectional and was conducted with patients presenting at to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. The study included patients with Grade IV dental implants made of pure titanium (Ti) at the bone level and Grade V abutments composed of Ti, aluminum (Al), and vanadium (V). Individuals possessing different metallic implants and those prone to metal exposure were not included in the study. Blood and hair samples were procured from each participant and subsequently analyzed.

PREDICTOR VARIABLES

The predictor variable is implant exposure, and it was divided into 3 groups; Group I, patients with healthy dental implants; Group II, patients with peri-implantitis; Control Group, individuals without dental implants.

MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLES

The primary outcome variables are Al, Ti, V levels in blood and hair samples and the secondary outcome variable is the fatigue questionnaire score.

COVARIATES

Age and gender, along with the dental implant number and duration of exposure within the study groups, are utilized as covariates.

ANALYSES

Groups were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests. Spearman's correlation coefficient determined relationships between groups, signifying significance with P values <.05.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 30 patients aged 18 to 68, with 53% being female and 47% male. The differences among the 3 groups in the median values of blood Ti, V; hair Al, Ti, V; and fatigue questionnaire scores were not statistically significant (P > .05). However, the median blood Al value was statistically higher in Group II (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

While the presence of healthy dental implants may not affect the accumulation of Al, Ti, and V within the body, patients with peri-implantitis exhibited elevated blood Al levels, possibly due to infection influencing the corrosion process.

Chronic fatigue in childhood cancer survivors is associated with lifestyle and psychosocial factors; a DCCSS LATER study

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to determine factors associated with chronic fatigue (CF) in childhood cancer survivors (CCS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Participants were included from the Dutch Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (DCCSS) LATER cohort, a nationwide cohort of CCS (≥5 years after diagnosis) and siblings as controls. Fatigue severity was assessed with the 'fatigue severity subscale' of the Checklist Individual Strength ('CIS-fatigue'). CF was defined as scoring ≥35 on the 'CIS-fatigue' and having fatigue symptoms for ≥6 months. Twenty-four parameters were assessed, categorized into assumed fatigue triggering, maintaining and moderating factors. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out to investigate the association of these factors with CF.

RESULTS

A total of 1927 CCS participated in the study (40.7% of invited cohort), of whom 23.6% reported CF (compared with 15.6% in sibling controls, P < 0.001). The following factors were associated with CF: obesity [versus healthy weight, odds ratio (OR) 1.93; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30-2.87], moderate physical inactivity (versus physical active, OR 2.36; 95% CI 1.67-3.34), poor sleep (yes versus no, OR 2.03; 95% CI 1.54-2.68), (sub)clinical anxiety (yes versus no, OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.10-2.19), (sub)clinical depression (yes versus no, OR 2.07; 95% CI 1.20-3.59), pain (continuous, OR 1.49; 95% CI 1.33-1.66), self-esteem (continuous, OR 0.95; 95% CI 0.92-0.98), helplessness (continuous, OR 1.13; 95% CI 1.08-1.19), social functioning (continuous, OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.97-0.99) and female sex (versus male sex, OR 1.79; 95% CI 1.36-2.37).

CONCLUSION

CF is a prevalent symptom in CCS that is associated with several assumed maintaining factors, with lifestyle and psychosocial factors being the most prominent. These are modifiable factors and may therefore be beneficial to prevent or reduce CF in CCS.

Prevalence and associations of fatigue in childhood atopic dermatitis: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Fatigue is a symptom that can negatively impact patients' quality of life. However, the relationship of AD with fatigue has not been fully studied, especially in children.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of fatigue in AD patients, and whether AD severity, demographics and comorbidities are associated with increased fatigue in children.

METHODS

A cross-sectional observational study was performed among 248 children with AD. Paediatric patients (ages 8-17 years) and parents (of children ages 0-17 years) completed a questionnaire, including demographics, history of atopic comorbidities and validated severity measures of AD, itch, pain, sleep disturbance, sleep-related impairment and fatigue. AD severity was also assessed by clinician-reported Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), Scoring AD (SCORAD) and Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA). Fatigue was assessed using Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pediatric Fatigue T-score.

RESULTS

Most children with AD had no (38.6%) or mild (32.1%) fatigue, with fewer having moderate (27.2%) or severe (2%) fatigue. Moderate/severe PROMIS Pediatric fatigue T-scores were increased with moderate (25.7%/1.4%) and severe (39.3%/5.4%) IGA vs. mild IGA (18.0%/0.0%) and those with 5-6 (44.4%/0.0%) and 7 (44.2%/5.2%) nights of SD from eczema. Moderate-severe PROMIS Pediatric Fatigue T-scores were associated with history of hay fever (adjusted OR [95% Cl]: 2.803 [1.395-5.632]) and family income (<$100,000: 3.049 [1.294-7.181]), but inversely with Black (0.40 [0.168-0.969]) and AAPI (0.285 [0.094-0.859]) race. In multivariable regression models controlling for demographic factors, PROMIS Pediatric Fatigue T-score was significant with more severe scores for IGA, POEM, EASI, SCORAD, NRS-itch, SCORAD-itch, average itch in the past 7 days, PROMIS Pediatric Pain severity, PROMIS Pediatric SD, PROMIS Pediatric SRI, SCORAD-sleep and more frequent SD from AD.

CONCLUSIONS

Fatigue is a common yet underappreciated symptom in children with AD, particularly those with moderate-severe AD, and warrants more attention in clinical practice and trials.

Paediatric short fatigue questionnaire, a 4-item fatigue questionnaire for children

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether a paediatric Short Fatigue Questionnaire (pSFQ) assesses a valid construct for subjective fatigue, to assess its psychometric properties and provide a cut-off score for severe fatigue in children.

METHODS

The pSFQ consists of 4 items from the Checklist Individual Strength-8 (CIS-8). Data of previous studies using the CIS-8 were used to assess the pSFQ in healthy children (n = 316), children with chronic fatigue syndrome (n = 173), and children with a chronic disease (n = 442). All children were 12-18 years old. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed, followed by Cronbach alpha's to investigate internal consistency, and Spearman's correlations to assess construct validity. With ROC analysis, we determined a cut-off score for severe fatigue and provide normative data on the pSFQ for children with and without a chronic disease.

RESULTS

CFA confirmed a one-factor model in the pSFQ representing subjective fatigue. Cronbach's alpha ranged from good to excellent (0.84-0.94), as did construct validity (-0.76 and - 0.87 for correlation with two other fatigue measurements). ROC analysis delivered a cut-off score of ≥21, with a sensitivity of 93.9% and specificity of 96.2% for severe fatigue. Normative data for children with and without a chronic disease showed similar patterns compared to other fatigue questionnaires.

CONCLUSION

The pSFQ is a practical and reliable screening instrument for severe fatigue in children with and without a chronic disease, and effectively reduces the questionnaire length with 50% compared to the conventional CIS-8.

Cancer-related fatigue in childhood cancer survivors: A systematic scoping review on contributors of fatigue and how they are targeted by non-pharmacological interventions

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to identify contributors to cancer-related fatigue (CRF), explore non-pharmacological interventions addressing CRF, and highlight which contributors were targeted by these interventions in childhood cancer survivors.

METHODS

We performed a search in various databases and used the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Findings were synthesized in various different tables and figures in accordance with our objectives.

RESULTS

We included 49 articles in this systematic scoping review. We identified 59 significant contributors. Depression and physical activity level were some of the most studied significant contributors. Ten interventional studies were identified (e.g., yoga, physical activity intervention) that addressed 6 contributors (e.g., physical activity level).

DISCUSSION

This review is the first to describe and relate contributors and non-pharmacological interventions targeting CRF in childhood cancer survivors. Important clinical implications could be derived from the variety of factors explaining CRF and how it is currently addressed.

The Impact of Cancer-Related Fatigue on HRQOL in Survivors of Childhood Cancer: A DCCSS LATER Study

Simple Summary

Survivors of childhood cancer have an increased risk to experience symptoms of severe and persistent fatigue. We studied how fatigue might affect the health-related quality of life of these survivors. Questionnaire items asking about a broad range of daily life aspects were compared between fatigued survivors, survivors without fatigue and the general Dutch population. A total of eleven aspects were studied which were all negatively affected by fatigue, with the largest impact seen for Vitality (how much energy does a person have), General Health (perception of current and future health) and Role Limitations (work-related activities). Results show the negative impact fatigue can have on the daily lives of survivors and why it is important to treat fatigue adequately.

Abstract

Background: Early detection and management of late effects of treatment and their impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has become a key goal of childhood cancer survivorship care. One of the most prevalent late effects is chronic fatigue (CF). The current study aimed to investigate the association between CF and HRQOL in a nationwide cohort of CCS. Methods: Participants were included from the Dutch Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (DCCSS) LATER cohort, a nationwide cohort of CCS. Participants completed the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS) to indicate CF (CIS fatigue severity subscale ≥ 35 and duration of symptoms ≥6 months) and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) and TNO (Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research) and AZL (Leiden University Medical Centre) Adult’s Health-Related Quality of Life questionnaire (TAAQOL) as measures for HRQOL. Differences in mean HRQOL domain scores between CF and non-CF participants were investigated using independent samples t-tests and ANCOVA to adjust for age and sex. The association between CF and impaired HRQOL (scoring ≥ 2 SD below the population norm) was investigated using logistic regression analyses, adjusting for confounders. Results: A total of 1695 participants were included in the study. Mean HRQOL domain scores were significantly lower in participants with CF. In addition, CF was associated with impaired HRQOL on all of the domains (except physical functioning) with adjusted odds ratios ranging from 2.1 (95% CI 1.3–3.4; sexuality domain) to 30.4 (95% CI 16.4–56.2; vitality domain). Conclusions: CF is associated with impaired HRQOL, urging for the screening and regular monitoring of fatigue, and developing possible preventative programs and interventions.