Chemotherapy-induced vomiting in women treated for breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the incidence and intensity of vomiting in women receiving chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer since the advent of 5-HT3 antagonists.


METHODS
Longitudinal, descriptive.


METHODS
7 outpatient oncology clinics situated in hospitals, 5 outpatient oncology clinics associated with major teaching universities, 27 private outpatient oncology practices, and 1 outpatient clinic located in a county hospital.


METHODS
Typical participants (N = 303) were 51.9 years, Caucasian (79%), married or partnered (65%), born U.S. citizens (93%), heterosexual (96%), living with someone (84%), and high school graduates (82%).


METHODS
Baseline and poststudy questionnaires and a daily diary of vomiting through two cycles of chemotherapy (approximately two months) were used to collect data.


METHODS
Vomiting experience.


RESULTS
The worst vomiting occurs three days after having chemotherapy for breast cancer. The types of oral antiemetics ordered for home use were changed between the two cycles of the study only 8% (n = 24) of the time. No demographic factors were associated with acute vomiting at times 1 or 2; younger age (r = -0.16; p = 0.012) was associated with more vomiting. Delayed vomiting was associated with age and body mass index, and younger, heavier women experienced more vomiting. Minority women (n = 55) reported significantly more delayed vomiting than did Caucasian women (mean = 6.56 versus 2.82; t = 2.02; p less than 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Vomiting continues to be a significant problem for some women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
Oncology nurses can use the results from this study to provide anticipatory guidance for patients undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer and to support efforts to provide appropriate symptom management for these women.
Dibble
Suzanne L
SL
Institute for Health and Aging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA. sdibble@itsa.ucsf.edu
Casey
Karen
K
Nussey
Brenda
B
Israel
Jill
J
Luce
Judith
J
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D058831:Serotonin 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control; D044465:White People
D000932:Antiemetics; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D058831:Serotonin 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists