Cancer-Related Fatigue

Horneber, Markus; Fischer, Irene; Dimeo, Fernando; Rüffer, Jens Ulrich; Weis, Joachim

doi:10.3238/arztebl.2012.0161

Cited by 118 publications

(113 citation statements)

References 91 publications

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“…Fatigue associated with cancer and its therapies is a burdensome syndrome that is commonly experienced by approximately 80% of patients undergoing cancer treatment (Horneber et al 2012). The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) describes fatigue as a persistent, subjective sense of tiredness that interferes with usual functioning (Patrick et al 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lower brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels associated with worsening fatigue in prostate cancer patients during repeated stress from radiation therapy

Saligan

Lukkahatai

Holder

et al. 2015

The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry

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Objectives Fatigue during cancer treatment is associated with depression. Neurotrophic factors play a major role in depression and stress and might provide insight into mechanisms of fatigue. This study investigated the association between plasma concentrations of three neurotrophic factors (BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor; GDNF, glial-derived neurotrophic factor; and SNAPIN, soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive fusion attachment receptor-associated protein) and initial fatigue intensification during external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) in euthymic non-metastatic prostate cancer men. Methods Fatigue, as measured by the 13-item Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Fatigue (FACT-F), and plasma neurotrophic factors were collected at baseline (prior to EBRT) and mid-EBRT. Subjects were categorized into fatigue and no fatigue groups using a >3-point change in FACT-F scores between the two time points. Multiple linear regressions analysed the associations between fatigue and neurotrophic factors. Results FACT-F scores of 47 subjects decreased from baseline (43.95 ± 1.3) to mid-EBRT (38.36 ± 1.5, P < 0.001), indicating worsening fatigue. SNAPIN levels were associated with fatigue scores (rs = 0.43, P = 0.005) at baseline. A significant decrease of BDNF concentration (P = 0.008) was found in fatigued subjects during EBRT (n = 39). Conclusions Baseline SNAPIN and decreasing BDNF levels may influence worsening fatigue during EBRT. Further investigations are warranted to confirm their role in the pathophysiology and therapeutics of fatigue.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lower brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels associated with worsening fatigue in prostate cancer patients during repeated stress from radiation therapy

Saligan

Lukkahatai

Holder

et al. 2015

The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry

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“…Clinical features of CRF include tiredness ranging from lack of energy to exhaustion, loss of drive and personal interests, as well as impaired memory and concentration. The multi-factorial etiology and pathogenesis is related to cancer/tumor type, treatments experienced, genetic disposition to physical and emotional stress, as well as conditions experienced such as anxiety and sleeplessness (Hormeber, Fischer, Dimeo, Ruffer, & Weis, 2012). In addition, CRF is thought to be associated with anemia, poor nutrition and excess analgesia (Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, 2005).…”

Section: Cancer-related Fatigue: Definitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Nurse-Driven, Exercise-Based Intervention for Patients with Cancer-Related Fatigue when Severe Fatigue Interferes with Daily Activity

Opaluch-Bushy¹

2014

Preprint

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Cancer affects more than 1 million people each year. Of all of the symptoms related to cancer, the most frequently experienced is fatigue. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is an extreme tiredness that contributes to morbidity and mortality due to resulting inactivity.Extreme inactivity related to CRF may cause severe complications affecting multiple body systems. The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) recommends exercise as the only evidence-based intervention shown to be significant for CRF. The purpose of this project was to provide a nurse-driven, exercise-based intervention to combat severe CRF. The site was an oncology out-patient clinic of a 247 bed Magnet hospital in Providence, RI; no specific intervention for oncology patients with fatigue levels >4/10 was in place. A program development project was developed that included creating a brochure for patients targeted at CRF, revising clinic treatment sheets for easy intervention documentation, and educating the nurses by means of in-services regarding the project.

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“…anemia, thyroid dysfunction, cancer) and psychosocial factors (Ryan et al, 2007; Portenoy and Itri, 1999; Horneber et al, 2012). The causes and mechanisms of fatigue are unknown; however, it is believed to be a complex and multifactorial condition that is influenced by somatic, affective and cognitive factors (Berger & Mitchell, 2008).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

An assessment of the anti-fatigue effects of ketamine from a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study in bipolar disorder

Saligan

Luckenbaugh

Slonena

et al. 2016

Journal of Affective Disorders

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Background Fatigue is a multidimensional condition that is difficult to treat with standard monoaminergic antidepressants. Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist produces rapid and robust improvements in depressive symptoms in treatment-resistant depression. However, there is a dearth of literature examining the anti-fatigue effects of ketamine. We hypothesize that ketamine will rapidly improve fatigue symptoms in treatment-resistant depressed patients. Methods This is an exploratory analysis of data obtained from two double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trials. A total of 36 participants with treatment-resistant bipolar I or II disorder in a depressive episode (maintained on therapeutic levels of lithium or valproate) received a single infusion of ketamine hydrochloride intravenously (0.5mg/kg over 40 minutes) or placebo. A post-hoc analysis compared fatigue scores on ketamine vs. placebo at 10 time points from baseline through 14 days post-treatment using the National Institute of Health-Brief Fatigue Inventory. Results A linear mixed model showed that ketamine significantly lowered fatigue scores compared to placebo from 40 minutes post-treatment to Day 14 with the exception of Day 7. The largest difference in anti-fatigue effects between placebo and ketamine was at day 2 (d=.58, p < .05). The effect remained significant after controlling for changes in non-fatigue depressive symptoms. Limitation The retrospective nature and a small sample size are study limitations. Conclusions Ketamine rapidly improved fatigue relative to placebo in a group of individuals with treatment-resistant bipolar depression. NMDAR is a glutamate receptor; hence, glutamate may represent a valuable target to study the clinical efficacy of new anti-fatigue approaches in multiple disorders.

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Cancer-Related Fatigue

Abstract: Cancer-related fatigue is a serious problem that impairs patients physically, mentally, and socially. Physicians need to know how to recognize and treat it.

Cited by 118 publications

References 91 publications

Lower brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels associated with worsening fatigue in prostate cancer patients during repeated stress from radiation therapy

Lower brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels associated with worsening fatigue in prostate cancer patients during repeated stress from radiation therapy

A Nurse-Driven, Exercise-Based Intervention for Patients with Cancer-Related Fatigue when Severe Fatigue Interferes with Daily Activity

An assessment of the anti-fatigue effects of ketamine from a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study in bipolar disorder

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