Abstract 1873P
Background
Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) can be defined as a persistent, subjective sense of tiredness related to cancer and cancer treatment that interferes with usual functioning. CRF is not relieved by rest. CRF is the most common symptom in our patients and it has traditionally been underdocumented, underdiagnosed and undertreated. If we integre questionnaires about symptoms in routine practice, it would help us to improve communication and implement the quality of life of our patients and their families.
Methods
This study describes CRF in our patients with cancer and analyze the factors that determine it. At the medical oncology consultation, patients completed the fatigue questionnaire "Performed Questionnaire (PQ)” and later demographic data, tumor type, stage, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS), comorbidities and treatments received were collected.
Results
265 patients evaluated their fatigue from November 2016 to December 2019. Median age was 64 years (56; 77), with 48.7% men and 51.3% women. The primary cancer was 35% colorectal; 20% breast; 15% lung; 10% pancreatobiliary; 7% gastroesophageal and 13% other types. Of the patients included in this study, 30% reported fatigue that interfered with daily life. The mean PQ score was 43.8 (SD 13). Patients with breast cancer had less fatigue, with a score of 49.4 in PQ compared to 42.5 (p = 0.0006) and there were no differences between controls or active treatment (48.7 vs 49.7, p = 0.8). No differences were found for age or sex.
Conclusions
The exact etiopathogenic mechanisms of CRF are unknown. Systematic evaluation of symptoms such as fatigue should be done routinely. Previous studies suggest that symptomatic control translates into an increase in overall survival, so it is necessary to emphasize the study of the quality of life of our patients from the initial oncological visit.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.