Factors affecting patient's perception of anticancer treatments side-effects: an observational study.
BACKGROUND
Analysis of relative importance of side effects of anticancer therapy is extremely useful in the process of clinical decision making. There is evidence that patients' perception of the side effects of anticancer treatments changes over time.


OBJECTIVE
Aim of this study was to evaluate the cancer patients' perceptions of physical and non-physical side effects of contemporary anticancer therapy. Four hundred and sixty-four patients entered the study (153 men and 311 women). Participants were asked to rank their side effects in order of distress by using two sets of cards naming physical and non-physical effects, respectively. Influencing factors, including treatment and patient characteristics, were also analysed.


RESULTS
Patients ranked the non-physical side effect 'Affects my family or partner' first. 'Constantly tired' and 'Loss of hair' were ranked second and third, respectively. Significant differences from previous studies on this topic emerged. In particular, 'Vomiting', a predominant concern in previous studies, almost disappeared, whereas 'Nausea' and 'Loss of hair' remained important side effects in the patients' perception. Interestingly, marital status was predominant in driving patients' perception, being associated with several side effects ('Constantly tired', 'Loss of appetite', 'Affects my work/Home duties', 'Affects my social activities', 'Infertility'). Other significant factors influencing patient's perception of side effects included age, disease characteristics and ongoing anticancer therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provided information on current status of patients' perceptions of side effects of anticancer treatment. These results could be used in pre-treatment patient education and counselling.
University Hospital of Udine, Department of Oncology , Udine , Italy russo.stefania@aoud.sanita.fvg.it.
Stefania
S
Russo
Marika
M
Cinausero
Lorenzo
L
Gerratana
Claudia
C
Bozza
Donatella
D
Iacono
Pamela
P
Driol
Laura
L
Deroma
Roberta
R
Sottile
Gianpiero
G
Fasola
Fabio
F
Puglisi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D010465:Perception; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents