Fatigue and Functional Dependence in Older Cancer Patients

Abstract

Fatigue is a common chronic problem for older cancer patients and may represent a major cause of functional dependence.

The Fatigue Symptom Inventory: a systematic review of its psychometric properties

“…The mean/ median age of participants ranged from 38 to 78 years. There were few studies of older cancer patients; only four reported a mean/median age greater than 65 years of age [16,46,52,62].…”

“…Jacobsen et al [39] Interference Jacobsen et al [40] Interference Interference score range=0.92-0.94 Stein et al [21] Interference Interference score=0.95 Andrykowski et al [42] Interference Interference score=0.95 Booth-Jones et al [43] Interference Dahn et al [44] interference Passik and Kirsh [45] Sum of severity, frequency, interference Wilson et al [46] Interference Hartvig et al [47] Mean of severity, one frequency item, interference Hartvig et al [48] Mean of severity, one frequency item, interference Losito et al [50] Interference Monk et al [51] Interference Shun et al [51] Sum of severity, frequency, interference Sum of severity, frequency, interference=0.92 Siegel et al [52] Interference Temel et al [53] Mean of 4 severity items Young and White [54] Interference Cohen and Fried [55] Mean of severity, frequency, interference Interference score range=0.91-0.93; alpha for sum not reported Donovan et al [56] Mean of 4 severity items 4-item severity score range=0.91-0.93 Jacobsen et al [58] Interference Karvinen et al [59] Interference Lai et al [60] Interference Interference score range=0.92-0.96 Shun et al [61] Sum of severity, frequency, interference Sum of severity, frequency, interference range=0.92-0.95 Donovan et al [20] Mean of 3 severity items Mean of average, most, least=0.84 Espie et al [64] Interference Luciani et al [66] Interference Rogers et al [67] Interference Simonelli et al [68] Interference Interference score=0.94 Yang et al [69] Interference combined with 3 other measures to create symptom stress score Interference score=0.93…”

Predictors of functional decline in locally advanced head and neck cancer patients from South Brazil

“…9 Overall, in patients with cancer, symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue, and physical performance impairment are common, resulting in functional decline, impaired quality of life, and increased health-care costs. [10][11][12] Adult survivors of cancer are at least twice as likely as other adults to report limitations in their ability to perform at least 1 of the activities necessary for daily self-care, such as feeding, bathing, or dressing (ie, activities of daily living [ADL]), or their ability to perform at least 1 of the activities necessary for living independently, such as shopping, preparing meals, doing light housework, or taking medications (ie, instrumental activities of daily living [IADL]). Importantly, functional limitations impair their ability to work outside the home, 13 even in long-term survivors (>5 years).…”

Psychische Komorbidität bei Menschen mit chronischen Erkrankungen im höheren Lebensalter unter besonderer Berücksichtigung von Krebserkrankungen

“…So können die häufig auftretenden, zum Teil reversiblen Folgen einer Chemotherapie (unter anderem kognitive Einschränkungen und Fatigue) bei älte-ren Patienten noch gravierender sein, gerade wenn bereits kognitive Einschrän-kungen vorhanden sind [54]. Eine Studie bei Krebspatienten, die 70 Jahre und älter waren, zeigte, dass über 80% von ihnen an Fatigue litten und dass diese eine lang anhaltende Komplikation der Erkrankung und Behandlung darstellte, die eine Reihe funktioneller Verschlechterungen nach sich zog [56].…”