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01-07-2007 | Original Article

Assessment of clinical relevant fatigue level in cancer

Authors: Yoon Jung Chang, Jung Suk Lee, Chang Geol Lee, Won Sup Lee, Keun Seok Lee, Soo-Mee Bang, Xin Shelley Wang, Tito R. Mendoza, Charles S. Cleeland, Young Ho Yun

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 7/2007

Abstract

Goals of work

Fatigue is highly prevalent in cancer and greatly inferences with daily life. The goal of this study was to identify the most informative score in the Brief Fatigue Inventory and to define cut points for “mild,” “moderate,” and “severe” fatigue based on their relevance to quality of life (QOL).

Patients and methods

We surveyed cancer patients at five hospitals in Korea with self-administrated questionnaires. The patients were older than 18 years, have a histological diagnosis of malignancy, gave informed consent to participate, and were able to understand the questionnaires. We analyzed 150 cancer patients who reported fatigue.

Main result

“Usual fatigue” was a sensitive and reliable indicator of fatigue severity and was defined as mild (1–3), moderate (4–7), or severe (8–10) because it had the strongest correlation with the functional interference, symptoms, depression, and QOL.

Conclusion

These cutpoints might be useful in clinical evaluation of fatigue in cancer. Our findings suggest a simple technique for the rapid screening of fatigue and for evaluating its impact on the symptoms and daily functioning of cancer patients.

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Title: Assessment of clinical relevant fatigue level in cancer
Authors: Yoon Jung Chang
Jung Suk Lee
Chang Geol Lee
Won Sup Lee
Keun Seok Lee
Soo-Mee Bang
Xin Shelley Wang
Tito R. Mendoza
Charles S. Cleeland
Young Ho Yun
Publication date: 01-07-2007
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 7/2007
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-007-0219-x

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Abstract

Goals of work

Patients and methods

Main result

Conclusion

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