• Min Young Kim.
• Jeju Regional Cancer Center, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, Korea. musemy2@hanmail.net
• J Korean Acad Nurs. 2009 Jun 1; 39 (3): 433-45.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to assess changes in pain, fatigue, anorexia, anxiety and quality of life (QOL) in patients with cancer who were on chemotherapy.MethodsSymptoms and QOL were examined both before chemotherapy and after 2 cycles of chemotherapy. The participants were 76 cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in one of 7 hospitals.ResultsThe patients experienced a mean of 2.22-2.23 symptoms out of 4 symptoms. Patients who were female, or suffered from breast or colorectal cancer experienced more symptoms. Fatigue at present, and most severe fatigue and anorexia in the previous 3 weeks increased significantly. Anxiety and QOL decreased significantly after 2 cycles of chemotherapy. Number of symptoms, anorexia at present, most severe anorexia in past 3 weeks, and anxiety had negative correlations. QOL before chemotherapy showed a positive correlation with QOL after 2 cycles of chemotherapy. In a regression analysis, anxiety, QOL at baseline, income, and the most severe pain in the past 3 weeks were significant predictors of QOL.ConclusionPhysical and psychological factors were significant predictors of both QOL and each subscale, and these factors correlated with each other. These results demonstrate the needs for early assessment and intervention from the start of chemotherapy to decrease symptoms and improve QOL.

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