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Is cancer-related fatigue more strongly correlated to haematological or to psychological factors in cancer patients?

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Abstract

Goals of work

Cancer-related fatigue is a very frequent problem in cancer, interfering with many patients’ life activities. Anaemia is present in a large number of fatigued patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate cancer-related fatigue, in relation with haematic haemoglobin levels and the presence of anxiety and depression.

Materials and methods

The Functional Assessment Of Chronic Illness Therapy—Fatigue scale was used to assess fatigue. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was administered to screen for psychological distress. Haematological values were measured by blood tests. All data were analysed using Chi-squared, and a logistic regression analysis was conducted.

Main results

Eighty patients were enrolled in the study. Significant associations were found between fatigue and depression, fatigue and anxiety and between fatigue and haemoglobin.

Conclusion

Anxiety and depression, other than heamoglobin levels, were found associated with fatigue. Hence, implications for a multi-dimensional treatment of fatigue are discussed.

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Acknowledgement

Thanks to Mr. B. Stea for his help in statistical review.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Experimental Unit of Psycho-Oncology, Department of Critical Area and Surgery Room, National Cancer Institute “GIOVANNI PAOLO II”, Via Samuel Hanhemann 10, 70126, Bari, Italy

    F. Romito, R. Montanaro & C. Corvasce

  2. Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Institute “GIOVANNI PAOLO II”, Via Samuel Hanhemann 10, 70126, Bari, Italy

    M. Di Bisceglie

  3. Department of Critical Area and Surgery Room, National Cancer Institute “GIOVANNI PAOLO II”, Via Samuel Hanhemann 10, 70126, Bari, Italy

    V. Mattioli

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  1. F. Romito
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  2. R. Montanaro
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  3. C. Corvasce
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  4. M. Di Bisceglie
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  5. V. Mattioli
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Correspondence to F. Romito.

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Romito, F., Montanaro, R., Corvasce, C. et al. Is cancer-related fatigue more strongly correlated to haematological or to psychological factors in cancer patients?. Support Care Cancer 16, 943–946 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-007-0357-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-007-0357-1

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