Assessment of cancer-related fatigue among Jordanian patients: a cross-sectional survey.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is considered to be one of the most common symptoms reported by cancer patients. However, little information is available regarding the variables associated with CRF among Jordanian patients. AIMS: To assess the prevalence of CRF and explore its predictors among Jordanian patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was used. FINDINGS: Of the 240 patients surveyed, 210 (87.5%) had fatigue at the time of the survey. The total mean fatigue score was 6.2 (SD=1.7) out of a maximum possible score of 10. The results also showed that being unemployed, with longer hospitalisation, low haemoglobin, and having lung cancer seem to predict higher levels of CRF. CONCLUSION: Several variables and factors associated with CRF were identified. In response to these results, healthcare providers should pay more attention to CRF, which needs to be assessed on a regular basis and to be managed with the available pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.