Fatigue After Cancer Treatment: A Longitudinal Study
Author Information
Author(s): David Goldstein, Barbara Bennett, Michael Friedlander, Tracey Davenport, Ian Hickie, Andrew Lloyd
Primary Institution: Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia
Hypothesis
The natural history of fatigue would vary according to the presence of other coexisting variables such as psychological symptoms.
Conclusion
Post-cancer fatigue was prevalent and sustained on follow-up, with concurrent psychological disorder evident in the majority of cases.
Supporting Evidence
- 84% of surveyed women responded to the questionnaire.
- 49% reported symptoms indicative of clinically-significant fatigue.
- 36% reported significant levels of anxiety or depression.
Takeaway
Many women feel very tired for a long time after cancer treatment, and this tiredness can be linked to feeling sad or anxious.
Methodology
Women who completed adjuvant therapy for early stage breast cancer were surveyed over 48 months using questionnaires to assess fatigue and mood disorders.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to self-reported data and the decreasing number of respondents at follow-up.
Limitations
The study had a decreasing response rate over time, which may introduce selection bias.
Participant Demographics
176 women, mean age 55 years, with a range of 24 to 83 years, including pre-menopausal, peri-menopausal, and post-menopausal women.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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