Studying the physical and psychological symptoms of patients with cancer

Abstract

Aim: Aim of the descriptive study was to evaluate the frequency and severity of physical and psychological symptoms so as to determine palliative care needs of cancer patients. Method: Total 142 patients who were treated in oncology clinic at an university hospital were enrolled in the cross sectional research. "Descriptive Information Questionnaire" was developed by the authors and the adapted "Beck Depression Inventory (BAI)" and "Beck Anxiety Inventory (BDI)", "Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS)" to evaluate psychological and physical symptoms were used to collect data. Results: The mean age was 49.35±36.61 years and 54.9% of them were out-patients. %16.2 of the patients were diagnosed with colon and 13.4% breast cancer. The mean BDI score was 8.59±6.36 and 88.7% the patients have depressive symptoms. The mean BAI score was 11.39±7.53. The three most frequent problems were fatigue (87.3%), breathlessness (76.1%), and insomnia (67.6%). The mean of the highest-ranking problems were anorexia (6.02±2.77), fatigue (5.33±2.09) and insomnia (0.04±2.42). Conclusion: The study shows that some symptoms might be experienced by majority of the cancer patients as well as some symptoms might be felt more severe by fewer patients. Therefore, It should be assessed that both the frequency and severity of symptoms that patients experienced associated with cancer and its' treatment individually and focusing on primary care.