Asian Oncol Nurs.  2021 Dec;21(4):241-250. 10.5388/aon.2021.21.4.241.

Impact of Symptom Clusters on the Quality of Life in Lung Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

• Kim GD

• KMID: 2523662
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5388/aon.2021.21.4.241

Abstract

Purpose
This study was to identify the impact of symptom clusters on the quality of life in lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Methods
Data were collected from 154 lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at two tertiary hospitals located in Daegu and Seoul, Korea. The data were analyzed using factor analysis, multiple regression analysis.
Results
The most frequently reported symptoms included ‘can’t enjoy life,’ ‘not satisfied with quality of life right now,’ ‘short of breath,’ and ‘fatigue.’ The symptoms that inconveniences patients the most are ‘can’t enjoy life,’ ‘difficulty breathing’, and ‘not satisfied with quality of life right now.’ The quality of life score was 82.58 (0~132). Factor analysis showed that four distinct symptom clusters were identified: fatigueconcern-dissatisfaction of life cluster, dyspnea-weight loss cluster, nausea-anorexia cluster, and treatment side effect cluster. The finding supported the existence of the symptom cluster and Karnofsky Performance Status affected the quality of life of lung cancer patients. The fatigue-concern-dissatisfaction of life cluster showed 56% of explanatory power.
Conclusion
Based on the results of this study, it is necessary to manage the characteristics of each lung cancer patient’s symptoms cluster and to develop a strategy that can improve the quality of life.

Keyword

Lung neoplasms; Symptoms; Cluster; Chemotherapy