title: Patients with chronic hepatitis C undergoing watchful waiting: Exploring trajectories of illness uncertainty and fatigue.
abstract: We identified trajectories of illness uncertainty in chronic hepatitis C patients and examined their association with fatigue levels during 12 months of disease monitoring without treatment (watchful waiting). Sixty-two men and 63 women completed uncertainty and fatigue measures. Groups were formed by uncertainty scores (high, medium, and low) at baseline. Baseline fatigue levels were higher in the high uncertainty group than in the medium and low groups. Over time, uncertainty levels did not change. Fatigue levels in the low uncertainty group remained constant, increased in the medium, and decreased in the high groups. Findings suggest that uncertainty and fatigue do not remit spontaneously. Being aware of this may help nurses identify those patients needing support for these two concerns.
authors: Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, North Carolina.
authors: Donald E
authors: DE
authors: Bailey
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Barroso
authors: Andrew J
authors: AJ
authors: Muir
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Sloane
authors: Jacqui
authors: J
authors: Richmond
authors: John
authors: J
authors: McHutchison
authors: Keyur
authors: K
authors: Patel
authors: Lawrence
authors: L
authors: Landerman
authors: Merle H
authors: MH
authors: Mishel
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015897:Comorbidity; D005221:Fatigue / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D019370:Observation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015144:Southeastern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D035501:Uncertainty