2868 - Heterogeneity and Influencing Factors of Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients with Cervical Cancer Undergoing Brachytherapy: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
Presenter(s)
P. Wang1, Y. Li2, and P. Jiang3; 1Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China, 2Shanxi Cancer Hospital, Shanxi, China, 3Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
Purpose/Objective(s): Cancer-related fatigue—prevalent, severe, and having varying occurrence rates in patients with cervical cancer—has rarely been studied among those undergoing brachytherapy. We aimed to investigate the current status, heterogeneity, and influencing factors of cancer-related fatigue in patients with cervical cancer undergoing brachytherapy.
Materials/Methods: This cross-sectional study included 105 patients with cervical cancer selected using convenience sampling from a tertiary hospital in Beijing between March and June 2023. They were administered a general information questionnaire and the Cancer Fatigue Scale, Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.
Results: The overall cancer-related fatigue score was 26.10 ± 10.55 (out of 60 possible points), with 36.2% of patients scoring =30. On the basis of heterogeneity analysis, patients were categorized into high, moderate, and low fatigue groups; 83.8% of participants fell into the moderate and high fatigue groups. Educational level, chemotherapy, poor nutritional status, and depression positively influenced cancer-related fatigue. Cervical cancer surgery and household income had negative effects. These aforementioned factors explained 64.3% of the total variance. The analysis of factors influencing the latent categories of cancer-related fatigue revealed that patients undergoing chemotherapy, those with higher overall depression scores, and those with higher nutrition scores were more prone to being classified into the high fatigue group than their counterparts.
Conclusion: Cancer-related fatigue is present in a significant proportion of patients undergoing cervical cancer brachytherapy, with a considerable number of them experiencing moderate-to-severe fatigue. Owing to the study limitations, further research with a larger sample size is necessary to confirm the reliability of the conclusions. Targeted interventions are recommended for symptom management, psychological care, and family support.