• Catherine M Bender, Sandra J Engberg, Heidi S Donovan, Susan M Cohen, Martin P Houze, Margaret Q Rosenzweig, Gail A Mallory, Jacqueline Dunbar-Jacob, and Susan M Sereika.
• Associate professors School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. cbe100@pitt.edu
• Oncol Nurs Forum. 2008 Jan 1; 35 (1): E1-E11.

Purpose/ObjectivesTo identify and compare symptom clusters in individuals with chronic health problems with cancer as a comorbidity versus individuals with chronic health problems who do not have cancer as a comorbidity and to explore the effect of symptoms on their quality of life.DesignSecondary analysis of data from two studies. Study 1 was an investigation of the efficacy of an intervention to improve medication adherence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Study 2 was an investigation of the efficacy of an intervention for urinary incontinence (UI) in older adults.SettingSchool of Nursing at the University of Pittsburgh.SampleThe sample for study 1 was comprised of 639 adults with RA. The sample for study 2 was comprised of 407 adults with UI. A total of 154 (15%) subjects had a history of cancer, 56 (9%) of the subjects with RA and 98 (25%) of the subjects with UI.MethodsAnalysis of existing comorbidity and symptom data collected from both studies.Main Research VariablesSymptom clusters, chronic disease, and cancer as a comorbidity.FindingsIndividuals with chronic health problems who have cancer may not have unique symptom clusters compared to individuals with chronic health problems who do not have cancer.ConclusionsThe symptom clusters experienced by the study participants may be more related to their primary chronic health problems and comorbidities.Implications For NursingAdditional studies are needed to examine symptom clusters in cancer survivors. As individuals are living longer with the disease, a comprehensive understanding of the symptom clusters that may be unique to cancer survivors with comorbidities is critical.

26 keywords...

hide…