The categories of lung cancer patients based on presenting symptom clusters after chemotherapy and their impact on quality of life and survival

• Main Authors: Chien-Hui Yang, 楊千慧
• Other Authors: Mei-Ling Chen
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2008
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/19237736014886238517

碩士 === 長庚大學 === 護理學研究所 === 96 === The purpose of this longitudinal study was to identify lung cancer patients’ subgroups based on their presentation of four symptom clusters (sickness, GI, emotional, and respiratory symptom cluster), and to examine the differences on QOL and survival among identified patient subgroups. Symptom distress, performance status and QOL were assessed by MSAS-SF, KPS, and EORTC-C30, respectively. Using hierarchical cluster analysis, four patient groups were identified: low symptom group, respiratory symptom group, GI symptom group and multiple symptom group. Respiratory symptom group had higher proportion of female. Patients in GI symptom group were older than patient in low symptom group. Multiple symptom group ha s lower cognitive function at the sixth chemotherapy cycle and less 1-year survival rate than that of low symptom group. The study results suggested that assessment of symptoms at the early phase of chemotherapy may help to predict lung cancer patients’ survival time. For patients with high risk of early death, proper interventions should be developed.