Prevalence and biopsychosocial indicators of fatigue in cancer patients

Author(s)

Elisabeth L Zeilinger, Irina Zrnic Novakovic, Claudia Oppenauer, Matthäus Fellinger, Matthias Knefel, Matthias Unseld, Theresa Wagner, Simone Lubowitzki, Rupert Bartsch, Sabine Zöchbauer-Müller, Markus Raderer, Philipp B Staber, Peter Valent, Alexander Gaiger

Abstract

Introduction: Symptoms of cancer-related fatigue (CRF) can have a significant impact on patients' quality of life and treatment adherence. We aimed to investigate the relationship between CRF and multiple psychosocial and somatic indicators within a large mixed cancer sample. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, N = 1787 outpatients with cancer were assessed for CRF, pain, anxiety, and depression using validated screening instruments. We further obtained clinical parameters (Hb, CRP, creatinine, leukocytes, ASAT, and ALAT), sociodemographic data (age, gender, income, education level, marital status, parenthood, and living area), and lifestyle factors. Multivariate linear regression models were applied to estimate the impact of each indicator on CRF. Results: Overall, 90.6% of patients experienced some CRF, with 14.8% experiencing severe CRF. No gender difference was found in the prevalence of CRF. Patients with higher levels of pain, depressive symptoms, and lower Hb levels had significantly higher levels of CRF (p

_s <0.001). Lower levels of CRF were observed in patients who had children (p = 0.03), had less education (p < 0.001), and were physically active for more than 2 h per week before their oncological diagnosis (p = 0.014). The latter was only a significant indicator in the male subsample. Conclusion: The present results demonstrate a high prevalence of CRF and highlight that not only somatic and psychosocial factors, but also lifestyle factors prior to diagnosis appear to be associated with the etiology and persistence of CRF. To effectively treat CRF, a biopsychosocial, personalized approach is recommended.

Organisation(s)

Department of Clinical and Health Psychology

External organisation(s)

Medizinische Universität Wien, Haus der Barmherzigkeit, Karl Landsteiner Privatuniversität für Gesundheitswissenschaften, Krankenhaus Hietzing, Department of Internal Medicine, Landesklinikum Baden-Mödling, Baden, Austria.

Journal

Cancer Medicine

Volume

ISSN

2045-7634

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.7293

Publication date

05-2024

Peer reviewed

Yes

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

501010 Clinical psychology

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Oncology, Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging, Cancer Research

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

Portal url

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/prevalence-and-biopsychosocial-indicators-of-fatigue-in-cancer-patients(a02a2514-249e-4958-b73e-7c274df5d319).html