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Patients’ symptom experiences before and after lung cancer surgery - predictors of patients’ symptom burden

Year: 2016
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore multiple symptoms in lung cancer patients before and after surgery and to identify predictors of patients’ symptom burden (including age). In total, 264 lung cancer patients were recruited from 3 university hospitals. They completed questionnaires preoperatively, and 1 and 5 months after surgery.\nThe study revealed that patients’ experienced a mean of 10 symptoms before surgery, with only small differences in the older patients compared to the younger ones (>65 years). When comparing the occurrence of symptoms before and after surgery, there was a significant increase in the mean number of symptoms at 1 month. However, the only characteristic that was associated with a higher number of symptoms 1 month after surgery was the number of symptoms reported before surgery. At 5 months, the number of symptoms was reduced compared to the 1 month assessment, but it was still significantly higher compared to the preoperative assessment. A total of 79% of the patients experienced shortness of breath (SOB) 5 months after surgery, while 71% experienced lack of energy, and 56% reported pain. Some of the symptoms were intense. Our findings show that patients with more comorbidities and a higher number of preoperative symptoms need special attention, as they tend to experience a higher number of postoperative symptoms. Even though it is recommended in guidelines, only 32% of the patients had physical therapy after surgery and 16% had inpatient rehabilitation. While 30% of the patients were working preoperatively, only 9% worked at 5 months.\nThis study provides important information about the symptom burden of patients that underwent lung cancer surgery, and about the most vulnerable patients. The results can be used to educate patients about the normal course of postoperative recovery. Clinicians need to perform a comprehensive symptom assessment prior to surgery and at regular intervals after surgery.
Language: English
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2264479170
Cites: 152
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Related to: 10