Nutritional Status and Fatigue in Women Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy.
10.7739/jkafn.2015.22.4.387
- Author:
Eun Hye PARK
1
;
Hyunjung KIM
Author Information
1. Hallym University Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Cancer;
Chemotherapy;
Fatigue;
Nutritional status;
Women
- MeSH:
Breast Neoplasms;
Drug Therapy*;
Education;
Employment;
Fatigue*;
Female;
Humans;
Lymphocytes;
Nutritional Status*;
Nutritional Support;
Outpatients;
Ovary;
Reference Values;
Skinfold Thickness
- From:Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamental Nursing
2015;22(4):387-397
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate nutritional status and fatigue, and to identify the relationship between nutritional status and fatigue in gynecological cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. METHODS: Participants were 106 outpatients who had uterine, ovary, or breast cancer and a descriptive cross-sectional design was used. Nutritional indicators including biochemical and anthropometric measures, the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) scale, and the Piper's Revised Fatigue Scale were completed. RESULTS: About thirty-nine percent of the patients were malnourished based on the SGA. Serum hemoglobin and total lymphocyte levels were less than the normal ranges, although anthropometrics were normal. The women experienced moderate fatigue with a mean score of 5.84+/-2.00. Nutritional status was significantly different by age, education, employment status, and monthly income. The women also had different nutritional status and fatigue depending on the type of cancer and chemotherapy. Fatigue was significantly related to SGA scores, serum hemoglobin, triceps skinfold thickness and mid-arm muscle circumference. CONCLUSION: The results of this study highlight an urgent need to provide adequate nutritional support and fatigue management with individualized strategies for gynecological cancer patients on chemotherapy.
