Cancer-related fatigue in patients before and after radical prostatectomy. Results of a prospective multi-centre study.
OBJECTIVE
A multi-centre, longitudinal study was conducted to assess the prevalence of fatigue amongst men with localized prostate cancer, to describe several dimensions of fatigue and to explore the predictability of fatigue by psychological distress and physical function.


METHODS
The prevalence of fatigue was evaluated using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory in 329 prostate cancer patients before, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. Psychological distress was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Physical function was measured using the EORTC QLQ-C30.


RESULTS
After surgery, about 14 % of the patients were screened with chronic fatigue. For all dimensions of fatigue, only small longitudinal changes could be observed. Psychological distress could be identified as a good predictor of fatigue after but not before surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Radical prostatectomy has no or little impact on the prevalence of fatigue. However, about 14 % of patients with chronic fatigue could possibly benefit from psychosomatic interventions. Interventions should consider the simultaneous appearance of fatigue and psychological distress and a reduced physical function.
Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße 55, 04103, Leipzig, Germany, norbert.koehler@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
Norbert
N
Köhler
Lutz
L
Gansera
Sigrun
S
Holze
Michael
M
Friedrich
Udo
U
Rebmann
Jens-Uwe
JU
Stolzenburg
Michael C
MC
Truss
Dirk
D
Fahlenkamp
Hans-Jörg
HJ
Scholz
Elmar
E
Brähler
D000368:Aged; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires