The experience of receiving chemotherapy in acute leukemia patients - A longitudinal prospective

• Main Authors: Chen Pey-ying, 陳佩瑛
• Other Authors: Yeur-hur Lai
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2005
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/96752379659474765691

碩士 === 臺北醫學大學 === 護理學研究所 === 93 === The aim of this study is to investigate the symptoms and experiences of patients with leukemia receiving chemotherapy. This research method is a prospective and longitudinal evaluation. We use the ‘Symptom severity Scale’, ‘Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale’, ‘Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group — Performance Status Scale’, ‘National Cancer Institute Toxicity Criteria — Oral Mucosa Assessment’ as the evaluation tool. Thirty-four patients with acute leukemia were collected from a medical center in northern Taiwan between 2004 March and November. Dry mouth is the most common symptom. Fatigue is the most severe symptom. Some symptom severity varied with time post chemotherapy. The change of symptom severity had statistical significance in fifteen of total thirty-four symptoms. Pain, mucositis, fever and chills were closely related to neutropenia in 4-week evaluation period. The symptoms associated with body image were important to some patient and the severity increased since the third week and lasted to the end of study. The severity variation of anxiety and depression is not statistical significance after chemotherapy. The anxiety score ranged from 4.32 - 5.24, the depression score ranged from 6.26 - 7.59. The prevalence of anxiety and depression are 5.8-11.7 % and 14.7-29.4 %. The leukocyte below 1000/mm3 is 10th day to 15th day post chemotherapy; neutropenia is noted between 11th day to 16th day. The leukocyte count, neutrophil count, hemoglobin level and platelet count are highly correlated to the mean symptom score. The renal function test is correlated to the mean symptom score but the liver function test is not. The anxiety and depression are correlated to the mean symptom score since the third week post chemotherapy. The result revealed the symptom severity, anxiety, depression and laboratory data in leukemic patients post chemotherapy. According to this data, it will provide further knowledge for nursing and medical treatment.