Journal article
Examining the Relationship Between Patient Fatigue-Related Symptom Clusters and Carer Depressive Symptoms in Advanced Cancer Dyads A Secondary Analysis of a Large Hospice Data Set
Cancer nursing, Vol.43(6), pp.498-505
11/01/2020
DOI: 10.1097/NCC.0000000000000737
PMID: 31361674
Abstract
Background
Most symptom management takes place in the community, conducted by patient and/or informal carer dyads with guidance from clinicians. Given the prevalence of cancer, there is a critical need for examination of the impact of managing multiple symptoms, particularly those that cluster with fatigue, on informal carers. Objectives
To (1) examine clustering of patient fatigue-related symptom severity and distress in individuals with cancer and (2) test the hypothesis that patient fatigue-related symptom clusters (severity, distress) will be positively associated with carer depressive symptoms. Methods
Secondary analysis of 689 hospice patient/informal carer dyads using exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. Patient symptoms were measured by the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale, and carer depressive symptoms were measured by the Center for Epidemiological Study-Depression Scale. Results
Patients were 73 (SD, 12) years old, and 43% were female. Carers were 65 years (SD, 14) years old, and 74% were female. For symptom severity, dyspnea, dry mouth, lack of appetite, drowsiness, cough, dizziness, and difficulty swallowing clustered with fatigue. For symptom distress, dyspnea, cough, and dry mouth clustered with fatigue. Structural equation modeling results indicated that the patient fatigue severity cluster was positively related to carer depressive symptoms (b = 0.12, P < .05), but distress was not. Conclusion
Managing multiple symptoms that cluster with fatigue negatively impacts informal carers. Implications for Practice
When patients complain of severe fatigue, clinicians need to explore all causes and ask about other symptoms while exploring whether the informal carer is feeling burdened or depressed.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Examining the Relationship Between Patient Fatigue-Related Symptom Clusters and Carer Depressive Symptoms in Advanced Cancer Dyads A Secondary Analysis of a Large Hospice Data Set
- Creators
- Harleah G. Buck - University of South FloridaBryan Benitez - Moffitt Cancer CenterMichael G. Fradley - University of South FloridaKristine A. Donovan - Moffitt Cancer CenterSusan C. McMillan - Univ S Florida, Coll Nursing, 12901 Bruce B Downs Blvd,MDC 22, Tampa, FL 33612 USARichard R. Reich - University of South FloridaHsiao-Lan Wang - Univ S Florida, Coll Nursing, 12901 Bruce B Downs Blvd,MDC 22, Tampa, FL 33612 USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Cancer nursing, Vol.43(6), pp.498-505
- Publisher
- Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
- DOI
- 10.1097/NCC.0000000000000737
- PMID
- 31361674
- ISSN
- 0162-220X
- eISSN
- 1538-9804
- Number of pages
- 8
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/01/2020
- Academic Unit
- Nursing
- Record Identifier
- 9984370645602771
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