Abstract:

[Abstract]  Objective  To investigate the incidence and influential factors of cancer-related fatigue in advanced cancer patients. Methods   The clinical data of 95 advanced cancer patients were retrospectively surveyed and the questionnaire were used together in the study including Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory-Short Form,Visual Analogue Scale,Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Social Support Rating Scale. Results    The total of 83 cases (87.37%) experienced fatigue. There was no significant difference in the fatigue between demographic characteristics (P > 0.05). The levels of hemoglobin, white blood cells, serum albumin, Karnofsky performance scale (KPS), VAS pain score, the total social support score, subjective support, support availability, anxiety and depression were significantly related to the fatigue (P < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis indicated that pain，anemia，depression and subjective supports were major risk factors of cancer-related fatigue.Conclusion   There is a high incidence of severe fatigue in advanced cancer patients. The improvement of complications, such as pain, depression, anemia, and increase of subjective support may alleviate the fatigue and improve the quality of life in advanced cancer patients.

Key words: fatigue, Neoplasms, quality of life, palliative Care, advanced cancer