To assess the Prevalence and Predictors of Cancer-related Fatigue and its Impact on Quality of Life in Advanced Cancer Patients Receiving Palliative Care in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross-sectional Descriptive Study

Beyond the battle: A cross-sectional study on cancer-related fatigue and predictors of quality of life in female adolescent and young adult survivors

OBJECTIVES

The study delves into the intricacies of cancer-related fatigue (CRF), the quality of life (QoL), and other demographic variables of female adolescent and young adult cancer survivors (AYACS) in the landscape of Kerala, India.

METHODS

The cross-sectional study included 288 female AYACS who were selected through purposive sampling and completed self-reported questionnaires on CRF, QoL, and demographic and clinical data. Statistical analyses were applied, including correlation, one-way ANOVA, and regression.

RESULTS

and discussion: The temporal dimension is particularly interesting, as individuals three to five years post-treatment report heightened CRF and QoL scores. Furthermore, the research unveils the pivotal role played by predictors such as marital status, educational attainment, and employment status in shaping QoL. Marital status and education emerge as positive predictors of well-being. The study unveils compelling insights into AYA cancer survivorship, revealing a profound impact of CRF on the quality of life dimensions. The role of spirituality, sometimes affecting social connectedness, adds intrigue.

CONCLUSION

The findings provide insights into the complex world of female AYACS, compelling researchers to ponder the significance of addressing CRF and tailoring rehabilitation systems during the critical post-treatment phase, with recognition of gender-specific challenges.

Cancer-related fatigue and activities of daily living: lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

Cancer-related fatigue is a prevalent condition in all stages of oncologic disease that is poorly diagnosed, with a negative impact on physical function to perform activities of daily living. Fatigue is also one of the main manifestations in post-COVID-19 syndrome, and few studies have explored the functionality of cancer patients after infection by the new coronavirus. This study was designed to assess cancer-related fatigue symptoms and their implications on physical function and quality of life during the pandemic.

METHODOLOGY

An observational study with a cross-sectional survey in cancer patients ≥ 18 years of age was conducted. The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue Scale (FACIT-F), the perception of asthenia and performance status were evaluated, and the differences between groups according to the history of COVID-19 were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 60 cancer patients had an average age of 33.5 ± 10.11 years, 73.3% were female, and 98.3% had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group-Performance Status level < 2. Severe fatigue was found in 43.3% of patients, and the average FACIT-F score was 33.5 ± 10.11. The proportion of coronavirus infection was 13,3%, and the performance of this group was worse on the scale compared to the group without infection (25 ± 10,40 vs. 34,81 ± 9,50 [p = 0,009]). There was a significant correlation between visual analog scale values and FACIT-F scale scores (Pearson's r = -0.76).

CONCLUSION

SARS-CoV-2 infection could increase cancer-related fatigue symptoms, limiting activities of daily living and impairing quality of life.

Effect of a Standardized Ginger Root Powder Regimen on Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: A Multicenter, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

There is substantial interest in the role of ginger as an adjuvant therapy for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). However, available evidence lacks robust methodology.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of adjuvant ginger compared with placebo on chemotherapy-induced nausea-related quality of life (QoL) and CINV-related outcomes.

DESIGN

A parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial with 1:1 allocation was conducted.

PARTICIPANTS/SETTING

One hundred three chemotherapy-naïve adults scheduled to receive moderately to highly emetogenic chemotherapy at two hospitals in Australia were enrolled and analyzed.

INTERVENTION

Four standardized ginger capsules (totaling 84 mg/day active gingerols/shogaols), or placebo, were administered commencing the day of chemotherapy and continuing for 5 days for chemotherapy cycles 1 through 3.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was chemotherapy-induced nausea-related QoL. Secondary outcomes were vomiting- and CINV-related QoL; anticipatory, acute, and delayed nausea and vomiting; fatigue; nutritional status; depression and anxiety; health-related QoL; and adverse events.

STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED

Intention-to-treat analysis was performed. Mixed analysis of variance with repeated measures determined differences between groups. The null hypothesis was no difference between groups. After applying a Bonferroni multiple testing correction, evidence against the null hypothesis was considered at P= 0.003.

RESULTS

One hundred three participants (ginger: n = 52; placebo: n = 51) were enrolled and analyzed. There was clinically relevant evidence against the null hypothesis, favoring ginger, in change scores for nausea-related QoL (F[df] = 9.34[1,101]; P = 0.003; partial η2 = 0.09), overall CINV-related QoL (F[df] = 12.26[1,101]; P < 0.001; partial η2 = 0.11), delayed nausea severity (F[df] = 9.46[1,101]; P = 0.003; partial η2 = 0.09), and fatigue (F[df] = 10.11[1,101]; P = 0.002; partial η2 = 0.09). There was a clinically meaningful lower incidence of delayed nausea and vomiting in the ginger group at Cycle 2 (53% vs 75%; P = 0.020 and 4% vs 27%; P = 0.001, respectively) and Cycle 3 (49% vs 79%; P = 0.002 and 2% vs 23%; P = 0.001, respectively). There was a clinically meaningful lower incidence of malnutrition in the ginger group at Cycle 3 (18% vs. 41%; P = 0.032) and in change scores for Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (F[df)] = 4.32[1,100]; P = 0.040; partial η2 = 0.04). Change scores between groups favored ginger for vomiting-related QoL and number of vomiting episodes; however, findings were not clinically meaningful. There was no effect of ginger on anticipatory or acute CINV, health-related QoL, anxiety, or depression. No serious adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Ginger supplementation was a safe adjuvant to antiemetic medications for CINV that enhanced QoL during chemotherapy treatment. Future trials are needed to examine dose-dependent responses to verify optimal dosing regimens.

Assessment of Quality of Life among Terminally Ill Cancer Patients Receiving Palliative Care at Hospice Centre, Ahmedabad City, India

Background

Cancer has been the leading cause of death worldwide, and palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life (QoL) of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness. Hospice care helps patients and their family to cope with the change from treating the cancer to living life as fully as possible through their final days. This study aimed to (1) assess the sociodemographic and clinical profile of terminally ill cancer patients, (2) assess the QoL among terminally ill cancer patients receiving palliative care, and (3) study various determinants affecting their QoL.

Material and Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among terminally ill cancer patients receiving palliative care at the Hospice Centre, Community Oncology Centre, Ahmedabad. Based on previous years' admission data, a sample size of 360 was taken. Patients who are seriously ill up to the extent that they were unable to respond and had a previous positive history of psychiatric illness before the diagnosis of cancer were excluded. Institutional ethical committee (IEC) permission was obtained before the study. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software.

Results

The mean age of participants was 48.1 ± 13.0 years. The gender distribution of participants was males and females (226 (62.8%) and 134 (37.2%)), respectively. On studying, the involvement of various anatomical sites as "primary site of cancer" revealed that head and neck carcinoma had the highest (63.3%) involvement and hematological cancer had the lowest (0.6%) involvement. Of total, 62% of participants had "below-average QoL," followed by 34.9% of participants having "significantly poor QoL." There was a significant association between different age groups, time lag in cancer diagnosis, and treatment initiation and QoL.

Conclusion

Spearman's rank correlations between the majority of factors fell in "low partially positive" category except for the physical well-being (factor 2) and psychosocial well-being (factor 3) with optimism and belief (factor 7), where they were in "low partially negative" category.

Multidimensional Predictors of Cancer-Related Fatigue Based on the Predisposing, Precipitating, and Perpetuating (3P) Model: A Systematic Review

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a widespread symptom with high prevalence in cancer patients, seriously affecting their quality of life. In the context of precision care, constructing machine learning-based prediction models for early screening and assessment of CRF is beneficial to this situation. To further understand the predictors of CRF for model construction, we conducted a comprehensive search in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus databases, combining CRF with predictor-related terms. A total of 27 papers met the inclusion criteria. We evaluated the above studies into three subgroups following the predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating (3P) factor model. (1) Predisposing factors-baseline fatigue, demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, psychosocial traits and physical symptoms. (2) Precipitating factors-type and stage of chemotherapy, inflammatory factors, laboratory indicators and metabolic changes. (3) Perpetuating factors-a low level of physical activity and poorer nutritional status. Future research should prioritize large-scale prospective studies with emerging technologies to identify accurate predictors of CRF. The assessment and management of CRF should also focus on the above factors, especially the controllable precipitating factors, to improve the quality of life of cancer survivors.

Rehabilitation Exercises Supported by Monitor-Augmented Reality for Patients with High-Grade Glioma Undergoing Radiotherapy: Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Exercise has been shown to improve quality of life (QoL) and even treatment outcomes in cancer patients. However, the evidence to support the benefits of exercise in patients with high-grade glioma (HGG) is limited. Therefore, we performed a randomized clinical trial (RCT) to examine the effect of augmented-reality-based rehabilitation exercises on physical and functional fitness, cognitive function, fatigue, mood, QoL, selected blood parameters, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and S100 protein in patients with HGG.

METHODS

Adult patients with HGG scheduled to undergo radiotherapy after tumor resection were randomized to participate in an exercise program (experimental group, n = 25) or to receive usual care (controls, n = 22). Physical and mental fitness was measured at baseline, after the completion of radiotherapy, and at 3 months. The following tests were administered: Handgrip Strength Test; 6-Minute Walk Test; Time Up and Go test; Functional Independent Measure scale; Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III (ACE III); Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; Functional Cancer Therapy Assessment-Brain; and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue. We also measured blood parameters, BDNF, and S100 protein levels.

RESULTS

No significant changes were observed in the exercise group. However, the controls experienced a significant decrease in HGS and in the ACE III attention domain. No significant changes were observed in QoL, fatigue, BDNF, or S100 levels in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

Augmented-reality-based exercise during radiation therapy may prevent loss of muscle strength and attention in patients with HGG.

Acupuncture improves immunity and fatigue after chemotherapy in breast cancer patients by inhibiting the Leptin/AMPK signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

Acupuncture has become a popular complementary treatment in oncology. This study is based on RNA-Seq transcriptome sequencing technology to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of acupuncture-mediated regulation of the Leptin/AMPK signaling pathway on mitochondrial dysfunction-induced fatigue in breast cancer patients after chemotherapy.

METHODS

Peripheral blood samples from 10 patients with post-operative chemotherapy for breast cancer were selected for transcriptome sequencing to screen the key molecular pathways involved in fatigue after chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Besides, peripheral blood samples were collected from 138 post-operative chemotherapy patients with breast cancer to study the composite fatigue and quality of life scores. Flow cytometry was used to detect T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood-specific immune cells. In addition, a blood cell analyzer was used to measure peripheral blood leukocyte counts, and MSP-PCR was used to detect mitochondrial DNA mutations in peripheral blood leukocytes.

RESULTS

Transcriptome bioinformatics analysis screened 147 up-regulated mRNAs and 160 down-regulated mRNAs. Leptin protein was confirmed as the key factor. Leptin was significantly higher in the peripheral blood of breast cancer patients who developed fatigue after chemotherapy. Acupuncture treatment effectively improved post-chemotherapy fatigue and immune status in breast cancer patients, suppressed the expression of Leptin/AMPK signaling pathway-related factor and leukocyte counts, and significantly reduced the rate of mitochondrial DNA mutations in peripheral blood leukocytes.

CONCLUSION

The Leptin/AMPK signaling pathway may be the key molecular pathway affecting the occurrence of fatigue after chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Leptin may improve post-chemotherapy fatigue in breast cancer patients by activating AMPK phosphorylation and alleviating mitochondrial functional impairment.

Characteristics of Cancer-Related Fatigue and an Efficient Model to Identify Patients with Gynecological Cancer Seeking Fatigue-Related Management

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most common somatic discomfort in patients with gynecological cancers. CRF is often overlooked; however, it can impair the patients’ quality of life considerably. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of CRF in gynecological cancer patients. Questionnaires and the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD-10) criteria were used to identify CRF. The enrolled patients were further categorized according to the amount of fatigue-related management received. Of the enrolled 190 patients, 40.0% had endometrial cancer, 28.9% had cervical cancer, and 31.1% had ovarian cancer. On the basis of the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria, 42.6% had non-cancer-related fatigue, 10% had CRF, and 51% had BFI-T questionnaire-based fatigue. Moreover, 77.9% of the study cohort had ever received fatigue-related management. Further analysis showed that patients with endometrial/cervical cancer, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage >1, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score ≥1, inadequate cancer treatment response, and receiving cancer treatment in the past week had a higher probability of receiving more fatigue-related management. The five-item predictive model developed from these factors may help physicians recognize patients seeking more fatigue-related management more efficiently. This is important as they may suffer from a more profound CRF.

Update on Prevalence of Pain in Patients with Cancer 2022: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

Experiencing pain and insufficient relief can be devastating and negatively affect a patient's quality of life. Developments in oncology such as new treatments and adjusted pain management guidelines may have influenced the prevalence of cancer pain and severity in patients. This review aims to provide an overview of the prevalence and severity of pain in cancer patients in the 2014-2021 literature period. A systematic literature search was performed using the databases PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane. Titles and abstracts were screened, and full texts were evaluated and assessed on methodological quality. A meta-analysis was performed on the pooled prevalence and severity rates. A meta-regression analysis was used to explore differences between treatment groups. We identified 10,637 studies, of which 444 studies were included. The overall prevalence of pain was 44.5%. Moderate to severe pain was experienced by 30.6% of the patients, a lower proportion compared to previous research. Pain experienced by cancer survivors was significantly lower compared to most treatment groups. Our results imply that both the prevalence of pain and pain severity declined in the past decade. Increased attention to the assessment and management of pain might have fostered the decline in the prevalence and severity of pain.

Fatigue and associated factors among adult cancer patients receiving cancer treatment at oncology unit in Amhara region, Ethiopia

INTRODUCTION

Fatigue is one of the most commonly and frequently reported symptoms by cancer patients. The cause of fatigue is multifactorial in origin, and its impact varies in range from affecting patients' daily social life, and physical, mental, economic, and social well-being to becoming a threat to their quality of life. Therefore every cancer patient needs to be screened for fatigue and considered as one of the vital signs.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence of fatigue and associated factors among adult cancer patients, receiving cancer treatment at the oncology unit in Amhara region, Ethiopia, 2022.

METHOD

Institutional-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among adult cancer patients receiving cancer treatment from May 9th-June 8th, 2022. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Data were entered into Epi data version 4.6 and then exported to the SPSS statistical package version 23 for further analysis. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out. P-values <0.05 in multivariable logistic regression were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The prevalence of cancer-related fatigue was 77.3% at 95% CI (73.1-81.1) with nonresponse rate of 1.97% (9). Poor social support (AOR = 3.62; 95% CI: 1.53-8.60), anxiety (AOR = 3.13; 95% CI: 1.54-6.36), physical inactivity (AOR = 3.67; 95% CI: 1.74-7.54), underweight (AOR = 2.03; 95% CI: 1.05-3.90), anemia (AOR = 2.01; 95% CI: 1.04-3.90), surgery as a treatment modality (AOR = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.06-0.78), combination therapy (AOR = 3.56; 95% CI: 1.68-7.54), treatment less than 3 cycle (AOR = 4.43; 95% CI: 1.53-12.80), and treatment 3-5 cycle (AOR = 3.55; 95% CI: 1.38-9.09) were significantly associated factors with cancer related fatigue.

CONCLUSION

Psychosocial assessment and intervention, nutritional support, early intervention of anemia, and promoting exercise are the key elements to minimizing fatigue among cancer patients.

Psychological Characteristics Associated with Post-Treatment Physical Status and Quality of Life in Patients with Brain Tumor Undergoing Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy (RT) is a mainstay of treatment for brain tumors. To minimize the risk of side effects while maximizing the therapeutic effects, personalized treatment plans, consisting mainly of genomics, radiomics, and mathematical modeling, are increasingly being used. We hypothesize that personality characteristics could influence treatment outcomes and thus could be used to help personalize RT. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the psychological characteristics associated with post-treatment physical status and quality of life (QoL) in patients with brain tumors undergoing RT. Two psychological tests-the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-were administered prior to RT. Physical parameters before and after RT were also assessed through the following tests: hand grip strength, Timed Up and Go test, 6 Min Walk Test, and Functional Independence Measure. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) was used to assess QoL. The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) was administered to assess fatigue. Neuroticism was significantly associated with low FACT-G Physical Well-Being scores. Psychoticism was associated with an improvement in physical fitness scores after RT. These findings suggest that personality traits should be considered when designing a personalized radiotherapy plan.