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Supportive Care in Cancer
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer 1/2013

01-01-2013 | Original Article

Appropriateness of the treatment of fatigued patients with stage IV cancer

Authors: Andrea L. Cheville, Tiffany Shen, Megan Chang, Jeffrey R. Basford

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 1/2013

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Abstract

Background

Fatigue among patients with cancer is prevalent, disabling, and treatable. While fatigue management guidelines have been in place for a decade, their use remains unclear.

Methods

We surveyed 160 patients with stage IV lung (40), breast (40), colon (40), and prostate (40) cancer who reported moderate to severe fatigue (i.e., >5 of 10 on an 11-point numerical rating scale). Participants were queried about receipt of treatments in fatigue management domains emphasized in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines: general management strategies, activity enhancement, psychosocial strategies, and pharmaceuticals.

Results

The cohort was half male, had a mean age of 67, and reported an average fatigue rating of 6.4. Participants reported treatment or receipt of specific guidance in the fatigue management domains as follows: general management strategies 16.8 %, activity enhancement 11.9 %, psychosocial strategies 9.9 %, and pharmaceuticals 37.3 %. Fatigue >7 of 10 increased the likelihood of instruction in activity enhancement but no other domain.

Conclusion

The low rates of guideline-congruent treatment reported here are concerning, particularly as better validated behavioral treatments were the least prescribed.
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Metadata
Title
Appropriateness of the treatment of fatigued patients with stage IV cancer
Authors
Andrea L. Cheville
Tiffany Shen
Megan Chang
Jeffrey R. Basford
Publication date
01-01-2013
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 1/2013
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-012-1515-7

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