The influence of cancer-related fatigue on quality of life in palliative cancer patients

Introduction
Cancer-related fatigue is defined as the persistent and subjective sense of physical, emotional, and cognitive weakness or exhaustion associated with cancer or its treatment that is not proportional to recently performed activity and which interferes with normal functioning. According to patients, fatigue is a symptom that affects their quality of life more than pain.

Aim of the study
To analyse the impact of cancer-related fatigue in palliative patients on their quality of life.

Material and methods
A total of 73 patients hospitalised in the palliative medicine ward were included in the study. The diagnostic survey method and questionnaire interview technique were applied. Two standardised EORTC surveys: QLQ-FA12 and QLQ-C15-PAL and the authors’ own designed questionnaire were used.

Results
The overall quality of life was determined by the respondents at a fairly low level (39.3 points). Physical functioning (52.13 points) was rated slightly better than mental (43.74 points). The most troublesome symptoms for the patients were fatigue and pain. Fatigue being an obstacle in everyday activities (66.24 points) and physical fatigue (60.03 points) were the most severe. The older the respondent and the higher their education, the higher the occurrence and intensity of particular types of fatigue. Asthenia significantly affected the quality of life of the respondents.

Conclusions
Cancer-related fatigue is a growing problem for oncological patients because it significantly affects their quality of life. Healthcare professionals should pay more attention to the early detection of this problem.