Perception of chemotherapy side effects -: Cancer versus noncancer patients
Perception of chemotherapy side effects -: Cancer versus noncancer patients
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DOI：
10.1046/j.1523-5394.1999.07205.x
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发表时间：
1999-03-01
期刊：
影响因子：
--
通讯作者：
Sawyer, WT
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Lindley, C;McCune, JS;Sawyer, WT
PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify and compare perceptions regarding the disruption in quality of life caused by chemotherapy side effects in patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy and in noncancer, chemotherapy-naive patients.DESCRIPTION OF STUDY: One hundred forty-six patients with cancer and 224 patients without cancer completed two instruments to assess the perceived magnitude of 41 physical and psychosocial chemotherapy side effects. Instrument 1 used a 5-point Likert scale (1 = not at all; 2 = a little bit; 3 = somewhat; 4 = quite a bit; and 5 = very much) to summarize patient responses to the question. "How much did or would each of the following side effects of chemotherapy bother you?" Instrument 2 was a serial ranking questionnaire that asked patients to select the 10 most bothersome side effects and to numerically rank the top five. An index of the relative magnitude of chemotherapy side effects was calculated for each instrument.RESULTS: For patients with cancer, loss of hair (50%), chances in taste (46%), constantly being tired (42%), affects work duties (39%), and changes in smell perception (35%) were most frequently perceived as bothering them "quite a bit" or "very much." Nausea and vomiting were ranked 11th and 22nd, respectively. With instrument 2, the five side effects perceived as most troublesome were, in decreasing order: nausea, loss of hair, constantly tired, vomiting and changes in the way things taste. For noncancer patients, those factors potentially bothersome "quite a bit" or "very much" were financial hardship (82%), hardship on family (78%), vomiting (73%), shortness of breath (70%), and ability to perform work duties (69%). Via instrument 2, the top five side effects in decreasing order were vomiting, hardship on family, loss of hair, financial hardship, nausea, and having to move close to a treatment center.CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Noncancer chemotherapy-naive patients perceived most chemotherapy-associated side effects as having greater impact on the quality of life than did cancer patients who had received chemotherapy. These findings can be used to direct patient education, education of the public and specific materials concerning cancer chemotherapy. The expertise of various members of the healthcare team can maximize the patient's comprehension of the adverse effects of the treatment options. The physician's knowledge of the overall treatment plan can assist in patient understanding, oncology pharmacists and nurses are in a unique position to educate patients and their families regarding potential chemotherapy side effects.
