Changes in the symptom clusters of elderly patients with lung cancer over the course of postoperative rehabilitation and their correlation with frailty and quality of life: a longitudinal study

Abstract

Objective: To explore changes in the symptom clusters of elderly patients with lung cancer at different time points after surgery, and to analyze correlations between cluster severity, frailty and quality of life. Methods: A longitudinal study was performed from August 2020 to June 2021 that included elderly patients with lung cancer who were operated upon at Jiangsu Province Hospital. Data were collected using the Chinese Tilburg Frailty Indicator, the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory and the Quality of Life-Core scale. Results: According to exploratory factor analysis, a total of 5 symptom clusters were found and three of them (Global mental function symptom cluster, special mental function symptom cluster and respiratory function symptom cluster) were persistent. The incidence of the top four symptoms changed at different time points. The severity of symptom clusters at different time points was positively correlated with frailty and negatively correlated with quality of life. Conclusions: Findings may provides a reference for medical staff to implement symptom management in elderly patients with lung cancer after surgery. Frailty may be an important variable affecting the severity of symptom cluster and quality of life of patients.

Impact of health belief on self-efficacy for postoperative rehabilitation management in lung cancer patients: the Chain mediating role of respiratory exercise compliance and symptom burden

“…Convenient sampling method was used to recruit participants. The inclusion criteria for study subjects were: (1) undergoing lung cancer surgery; (2)having a pathology diagnosis of lung cancer; (3) older than 18 years old; (4) clear consciousness and able to complete the questionnaire; (5) understanding the purpose and necessity of this study and willing to participate with formal informed consent. The exclusion criteria were (1) diagnosed with other malignant tumors or recurrence of lung cancer; (2) diagnosed with other serious physical diseases, resulting in unable to cooperate or unconscious; (3) diagnosed with mental disorders or verbal communication disorders; (4) participating in other studies at the same time.…”

“…Postoperative rehabilitation is an important and effective way to reduce complications and improve quality of life [4]. However, due to postoperative pain, frailty, shortness of breath and sleep problems [5], lung cancer patients often nd it hard to perform rehabilitation exercises and activities. Self-e cacy is a key behaviour-speci c cognitive factor contributing to the implementation of health promoting behaviors [6].…”