CN66 - Cancer symptom clusters, nutritional status and quality of life of patients with cancer undergoing outpatient chemotherapy

Background

Patients with cancer chemotherapy may have different cancer symptom clusters (CSC) that negatively impact their quality of life (QoL). These symptoms can sometimes arise from the disease itself or as a result of their cancer treatment.

Methods

Cross-sectional observational study conducted at Hospital Santa Rita de Cássia, a reference in oncology treatment in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. We included a) patients of both sexes and >18 y.o.; b) anatomopathological diagnosis of malignant neoplasm in stage I-III; c) patients (only new cases) undergoing outpatient chemotherapy. The instruments for data collection were: 1) Sociodemographic and clinical instrument; 2) Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS) to identify the CSC and 3) The EQ-5D-3L to assess QoL; 4) Nutritional Risk Screening. Each patient donated two blood samples for measurement of biomarkers (troponin I and C-reactive protein). Descriptive and bivariate statistical analyzes were conducted using SPSS v.28.0.

Results

Thirty-eight participants with a mean age of 56.09 y.o. diagnosed with malignant neoplasm were included. Most patients had a diagnosis of breast cancer (n=21; 55.26%), followed by the diagnosis of colorectal cancer (n=7; 18.42%). Most patients was into staging II (n=18; 47.37%). We observed a mean QoL score of 74, with the most affected domain being anxiety/depression (n=28; 73.68%). The most prevalent CSC were, worry (n=25; 65%), followed by pain (n=19; 50%). Three clusters were identified: 1-(difficulty for sleeping-sadness-worry); 2-(fatigue-nervousness-dry mouth) and 3-(pain-nausea-irritable-difficulty concentrating). Regarding nutritional status by we identified that most patients were classified as “normal”(n=22; 55.89%), followed by slightly altered (n=9), only one patient had serius nutritional status. Troponin I correlated with age (Rhos=0.31; p=0.033) and gender (Rhos= -0.48; p=0.02). C-relative protein showed a moderate and direct correlation with weight (Rhos=0.48; p=0.001) and waist circumference (Rhos=0.48; p=0.001).

Conclusions

Adequate attention to CSC should be the basis for the accurate planning of effective interventions to manage the symptoms experienced by cancer patients.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

This research received funding by the Espírito Santo Research and Innovation Support Foundation (FAPES). Notice FAPES Nº 03/2021 – UNIVERSAL. Process Number: 2021-5BDLS.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.