Fatigue in Children with Cancer During Chemotherapy
Author Information
Author(s): Yeh C-H, Chiang Y-C, Lin L, Yang C-P, Chien L-C, Weaver M A, Chuang H-L
Primary Institution: Chang Gung University
Hypothesis
What clinical factors are associated with fatigue over time in paediatric oncology patients receiving chemotherapy?
Conclusion
Children with cancer experience significant fatigue, especially in the first few days after starting chemotherapy, influenced by corticosteroid use and haemoglobin levels.
Supporting Evidence
- Fatigue levels were assessed using multidomain questionnaires.
- Patients reported significant fatigue changes over time.
- Corticosteroid use was associated with increased fatigue.
- Hemoglobin levels were linked to fatigue intensity.
- Parent proxy-reports indicated different fatigue patterns compared to patient self-reports.
Takeaway
Kids with cancer often feel really tired after their treatment, especially in the first few days, and this tiredness can be affected by their medicine and blood levels.
Methodology
A prospective longitudinal design was used to collect data from 48 paediatric oncology patients and their parents over 11 days, assessing fatigue through self-reports and parent proxy-reports.
Potential Biases
Differences in fatigue assessment between patient self-reports and parent proxy-reports may introduce bias.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and varied chemotherapy protocols, which may affect the generalizability of the results.
Participant Demographics
The participants included 26 males and 22 females, aged 7-18 years, with various cancer diagnoses including leukaemia and solid tumors.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website