The experience of fatigue in Turkish patients receiving chemotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the experience of fatigue in Turkish patients receiving chemotherapy.


METHODS
Descriptive.


METHODS
Outpatient unit in a large university hospital in Ankara, Turkey.


METHODS
100 patients randomly chosen from those who were undergoing chemotherapy at the outpatient unit.


METHODS
Data were collected using a personal information form developed by the investigator and a visual analog scale for fatigue.


METHODS
Measures taken by patients to cope with fatigue, fatigue experienced by individuals affecting their daily activities, age and gender, disease and treatment factors, and symptoms related to the chemotherapy.


RESULTS
The majority of patients (86%) experienced fatigue, and 73% stated that they coped with fatigue by decreasing their activities and resting more. Age was not a statistically significant factor affecting the level of fatigue, but gender was found to have an effect. Length of illness, number of chemotherapy courses, and the patients' symptoms affected level of fatigue.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of patients experienced fatigue, and most of the measures used to cope with fatigue were not effective. Fatigue affected patients' daily activities.


CONCLUSIONS
A need exists for more and better interventions to help patients cope with chemotherapy-related fatigue.
Yurtsever
Sabire
S
The Nursing Department, The Mersin University School of Health Science, Mersin, Turkey. sabire00@yahoo.com
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015984:Causality; D015897:Comorbidity; D005221:Fatigue / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents