Abstract CN41
Background
Patients with advanced lung cancer often present a variety of symptoms. This study aimed to assess the severity of the symptoms that advanced lung cancer patients experienced and the influence of demographic and clinical characteristics on these symptoms.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional study performed in a large hospital in a major city in Northern Greece. A questionnaire consisted of demographic and clinical characteristics and the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) were used in this study. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic characteristics. Parametric and non-parametric statistical analysis was used.
Results
The majority of the patients were men (n = 54,74%, mean age was 67.07 ± 7.76 years) and had non-small lung cancer (63%). The most frequently observed symptoms were tiredness (4.16 ± 3.67), shortness of breath (3.53 ± 4.07), anxiety (5.33 ± 3.63) and well-being (4.56 ± 3.19). Comparison between the symptoms and clinical and demographic characteristics revealed there were statistically significant differences between the stages of cancer and anxiety (z = 2.075, p = 0.038), type of cancer and tiredness (z = -2.018, p = 0.046), tiredness and place of residence (H = 13.548, p < 0.001), level of education and anxiety (H = 8.157, p = 0.017), drowsiness and type of treatment (H = 15.557, p = 0.001), depression and type of treatment (H = 7.990, p = 0.046), drowsiness and occupational status (H = 7.004, p = 0.030). Furthermore, there was a statistically significant difference between gender and pain (z = 2.302, p = 0.021) and gender and tiredness (z = 2.302, p = 0.021).
Conclusions
Patients with advanced lung cancer experience a variety of symptoms. Clinical and demographic characteristics affect the severity of symptoms. Therefore, Greek nurses should take into account these findings and plan appropriate care plans and interventions to alleviate the perceived symptoms and improve patients’ quality of life.
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.