Symptom Clusters in Advanced Cancer Patients: An Empirical Comparison of Statistical Methods and the Impact on Quality of Life.
J Pain Symptom Manage
; 51(1): 88-98, 2016 Jan.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26300025
ABSTRACT
CONTEXT Symptom clusters in advanced cancer can influence patient outcomes. There is large heterogeneity in the methods used to identify symptom clusters. OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the consistency of symptom cluster composition in advanced cancer patients using different statistical methodologies for all patients across five primary cancer sites, and to examine which clusters predict functional status, a global assessment of health and global quality of life.METHODS:
Principal component analysis and exploratory factor analysis (with different rotation and factor selection methods) and hierarchical cluster analysis (with different linkage and similarity measures) were used on a data set of 1562 advanced cancer patients who completed the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30.RESULTS:
Four clusters consistently formed for many of the methods and cancer sites tense-worry-irritable-depressed (emotional cluster), fatigue-pain, nausea-vomiting, and concentration-memory (cognitive cluster). The emotional cluster was a stronger predictor of overall quality of life than the other clusters. Fatigue-pain was a stronger predictor of overall health than the other clusters. The cognitive cluster and fatigue-pain predicted physical functioning, role functioning, and social functioning.CONCLUSIONS:
The four identified symptom clusters were consistent across statistical methods and cancer types, although there were some noteworthy differences. Statistical derivation of symptom clusters is in need of greater methodological guidance. A psychosocial pathway in the management of symptom clusters may improve quality of life. Biological mechanisms underpinning symptom clusters need to be delineated by future research. A framework for evidence-based screening, assessment, treatment, and follow-up of symptom clusters in advanced cancer is essential.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
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Bases de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Calidad de Vida
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Interpretación Estadística de Datos
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Neoplasias
Tipo de estudio:
Clinical_trials
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Diagnostic_studies
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Guideline
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Observational_studies
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Prognostic_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Adolescent
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Adult
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Aged
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Aged80
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Pain Symptom Manage
Asunto de la revista:
NEUROLOGIA
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PSICOFISIOLOGIA
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TERAPEUTICA
Año:
2016
Tipo del documento:
Article