Factors influencing Symptom Experience in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis

Kim, Soo Hyun

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to examine the factors influencing symptom experience in patients with liver cirrhosis(LC). METHOD: A descriptive correlational study design was used. A convenience sample of 129 subjects was recruited from the gastroenterology department at two university hospitals in Seoul, Korea. Symptom experience in LC was measured with the instrument developed by the researcher based on Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms(Lenz et al, 1995) and the Child-Pugh Score, the Korean version of Profile of Mood States, and the Family Support Questionnaire were used to identify the factors influencing symptom experience. RESULTS: The mean score of symptom experience was relatively low(M=41.67, SD= 24.71). Among individual symptoms, fatigue had the highest score in all dimensions. Fatigue, abdominal distension and/or peripheral edema, muscle cramps, dry mouth, and change in appearance were explored as symptoms needing management. In the regression analysis, symptom experience was found to be influenced significantly by anxiety/depression(R2=.418, p=.000) and the severity of LC(Child-Pugh Score)(R2=.125, p=.000). These variables explained 54.3% of the variance in symptom experience(F=63.607. p=.000). CONCLUSION: It suggests that nurses need to take into consideration psychological factor as well as physiological factor in symptom management for patients with LC.