Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a persistent and debilitating problem for many breast cancer survivors. Although many CRF measurement tools are available, no consensus exists on the most appropriate tool to use for breast cancer survivors. The purpose of this project was to identify the best method of assessing CRF in breast cancer survivors. The practice-focused question inquired about the most appropriate way to assess fatigue in breast cancer survivors. The central concepts of the project were CRF and cancer survivorship. This project was informed by the theory of health as expanding consciousness and Mishel's theory of uncertainty in illness. The sources of evidence included multi-database searches and literature from professional organizations. Results were tracked using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and metasystems and a literature review matrix. The search identified 14 sources, which were assessed for quality using the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation process. The results of this systematic review did not support the use of any particular assessment tool; however, 2 clinical practice guidelines recommended screening using a numerical severity scale followed by detailed assessment of clinically significant fatigue using available assessment tools. Screening can be implemented into the survivorship clinic, allowing nurses to identify potentially clinically significant fatigue so that further workup is done and interventions are implemented. Identifying, assessing, and intervening for clinically significant fatigue can improve the quality of life for breast cancer survivors, contributing to positive social change.

No description available.

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) as a distressing, persistent, subjective sense of physical, emotional, and/or cognitive tiredness or exhaustion related to cancer and cancer treatment that is not proportional to recent activity, such as physical activity, that interferes with usual functioning (Howell et al., 2015; National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 2020). CRF is one of the most common symptoms experienced by cancer patients at all stages of the cancer trajectory which significantly impacts patient’s quality of life, return to work, mental health, and can lead to disability (Bower, 2014b; Jones et al., 2016). Much research has focused on the development of CRF assessment and intervention strategies which have promoted the development of comprehensive evidence-based guidelines (Howell et al., 2015; National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 2020). However, previous research has identified many practice gaps in their implementation (Berger et al., 2015; Borneman et al., 2007; Pearson et al., 2015a, 2017b). This thesis’ objectives were to gain a deeper understanding of potential barriers to CRF clinical guideline implementation to identify potential knowledge translation strategies of CRF guidelines into practice following a Knowledge-To-Action (KTA) framework perspective (Graham et al., 2006; Straus et al., 2013). In Study 1, a qualitative research design was used to recruit a total of 62 participants—16 patients, 32 healthcare providers (HCPs), and 15 community support providers (CSPs). Drawing on the KTA model, the goal of the study was to explore key stakeholders’ (patients, HCPs, CSPs) experiences and opinions on CRF assessment and management and to explore underlying causes of CRF treatment gaps. No specific hypothesis were determined given the exploratory nature of the study. The results of this study highlight CRF guideline implementation gaps, patient dissatisfaction with CRF care, and challenges contributing to CRF assessment and management gaps. The results also suggested the presence of two underlying mechanisms contributing to treatment gaps: A Perfect Storm and Patient-Provider Communication Gaps. Understanding these mechanisms provides clarity on the potential causes maintaining CRF treatment gaps and can help direct targeted knowledge translation strategies to improve the implementation of CAPO CRF guidelines into practice. Consistent with a recent Delphi study (Pearson et al., 2017b), the results supported the need for professionals’ training on CRF guidelines to fill knowledge gaps. In Study 2, a mixed-methods pilot study with 18 HCPs and CSPs was used to develop and evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of a one-time training session for HCPs and CSPs on CAPO CRF guidelines, once again flowing the KTA framework (Graham et al., 2006; Straus, 2011). A secondary objective was to evaluate the learning outcomes of the training session including CAPO CRF guidelines knowledge, self-efficacy, and intent to apply CAPO CRF guidelines in practice. Overall, results suggest that offering a brief one-time training for HCPs and CSPs on CRF guidelines may be effective in increasing knowledge, self-efficacy, and intent to apply guidelines into practice. Similarly, that KT tools are appreciated by HCPs/CSPs and may be used in practice to supplement and sustain the knowledge and skills gained in training.

Objectives: Fatigue is a frequent debilitating symptom associated with cancer. However, scientific data on cancer-related fatigue is scarce in developing nations. This work examines psychometric properties of the multidimensional fatigue inventory (MFI- 20) and analyzes the level of fatigue among Ethiopian patients with cancer in comparison with data from Germany. Methods: A sample of 256 patients with cancer drawn from a hospital in Ethiopia was examined with the MFI-20 and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). A comparative sample of 780 German patients with cancer served as the control. Results: The MFI-20 scales and total score showed acceptable reliability (a = 0.60– 0.93) with a considerable convergent validity between MFI-20 and the EORTC QLQ-C30 fatigue scale (r = 0.67–0.75). The Ethiopian patients with cancer reported higher levels of fatigue than the German patients. Analyses of variance showed that Ethiopian patients with cancer who were illiterate, having advanced cancer, and those who did not receive either surgery or chemotherapy reported especially high levels of fatigue. Conclusion: The MFI-20 is a fairly reliable and valid instrument to be used with Amharic speaking patients with cancer. The high level of fatigue in these patients implies that appropriate cancer care is needed in developing countries.

No description available.

Bakgrund   Cancer är en vanlig sjukdom och förväntas öka betydligt de kommande åren. Cancersjukdom har både fysiska, psykiska, sociala och existentiella konsekvenser samt stora konsekvenser för anhöriga. Fatigue, som ofta beskrivs som en subjektiv upplevelse av kraftig trötthet, är ett symtom som kan förekomma vid många sjukdomstillstånd. Fatigue vid cancer är mycket vanligt och kan bestå lång tid efter avslutad behandling. Cancerrelaterad fatigue är underdiagnostiserat och det finns inte tillräcklig kunskap om symtomet inom hälso- och sjukvården. Syfte  Syftet var att belysa patienters upplevelser av cancerrelaterad fatigue. Metod En icke-systematisk litteraturöversikt, baserad på 15 vetenskapliga originalartiklar med huvudsakligen kvalitativ design. Litteratursökningen utfördes med relevanta söktermer i databaserna PubMed och CINAHL. De utvalda artiklarna kvalitetsgranskades utifrån Sophiahemmet Högskolas bedömningsunderlag för vetenskaplig klassificering och kvalitet. Innehållet analyserades och sammanställdes med hjälp av en integrerad dataanalys.  Resultat  Resultatet visade att patienters upplevelser av cancerrelaterad fatigue hade flera aspekter som påverkade många delar av livet. Fyra huvudkategorier identifierades: Kroppsliga och psykiska begränsningar, Förlust av självständighet, Förändrade relationer och Att inte känna sig förstådd. Upplevelserna handlade om kroppsliga, emotionella och kognitiva nedsättningar. Nedsatt förmåga till daglig funktion, arbete och möjlighet att delta i sociala sammanhang skapade en känsla av förlorad självständighet. Detta påverkade både självbilden och relationen till närstående. Resultatet visade också att bristande kunskap hos patienterna, närstående och framför allt vårdpersonal förstärkte de negativa upplevelserna av cancerrelaterad fatigue. Slutsats Cancerrelaterad fatigue innebär en funktionsnedsättning inom många viktiga områden i livet och skapar både sjukdomslidande, livslidande och vårdlidande hos personerna. Cancerrelaterad fatigue är ett tillstånd där patienter möts av oförståelse, framför allt från vårdpersonal. Vårdpersonal måste ha kunskap om cancerrelaterad fatigue och ett holistiskt förhållningssätt för att kunna ge god vård, ett gott bemötande och lindra lidande. / Background Cancer is a common disease and is expected to increase during the coming years. Cancer has both physical, psychological, social and existential consequences and also major consequences for family. Fatigue, often described as a subjective feeling of severe tiredness, can occur in many diseases. Cancer-related fatigue is common among cancer patients and can persist long after the treatment is completed. Cancer-related fatigue is underdiagnosed and there is a lack of knowledge in health care.  Aim The aim was to shed light on patients’ experiences of cancer-related fatigue.  Method A non-systematic literature review based on 15 scientific articles, with mainly qualitive designs. The literature search was performed using relevant search terms in the databases PubMed and CINAHL. The selected articles were quality-reviewed based on Sophiahemmet University´s assessment document for scientific classification and quality. The content was analyzed and compiled using integrated data analysis. Results The result showed that patients´ experiences of cancer-related fatigue had several aspects that affected many parts of life. Four main categories were identified: Physical and psychological limitations, Loss of independence, Changed relationships and Not feeling understood. The experiences were about physical, emotional and cognitive impairments. Reduced ability to function daily, at work and participate in social contexts created a feeling of lost independence. This affected self-image and relationships with family and friends. The result also showed that a lack of knowledge among patients, family and especially healthcare personnel reinforced the negative experiences of cancer-related fatigue.  Conclusions Cancer-related fatigue implies a disability in several important areas of life and creates both illness-suffering, life-suffering and healthcare-suffering among these persons. Cancer-related fatigue is a condition where patients are met with incomprehension, especially from healthcare professionals. Healthcare personnel need knowledge about cancer-related fatigue and a holistic approach to give good care, create good interpersonal relations and ease suffering.

Bakgrund  Fatigue är ett vanligt förekommande symtom hos patienter med cancer. Detta förekommer tidigt i sjukdomen och håller i sig genom hela behandlingen. Fatigue kan även kvarstå efter att behandlingen är avslutad. Det är vanligt att svårighetsgraden av fatigue ökar under cancerbehandlingen. Fatigue beskrivs ofta som den svåraste biverkningen av cancer och det som har störst negativa påverkan på patienternas liv. Det finns stora kunskapsluckor om fatigue och behandlingen av den hos sjukvårdspersonal i dagsläget.  Syfte  Syftet var att beskriva omvårdnadsinterventioner som minskar patienternas känsla av cancerrelaterad fatigue.  Metod  Denna icke-systematiska litteraturöversikt är baserad på 15 vetenskapliga artiklar som är inhämtade från databaserna PubMed och CINAHL. Artiklarna har genomgått en systematisk urvalsprocess och kvalitetsgranskats med hjälp av Sophiahemmet Högskola bedömningsinstrument. Därefter har författarna utfört en integrerad analys där olika kategorier identifierades ur de valda artiklarnas resultat  Resultat  Två huvudkategorier och fyra under kategorier identifierades. Resultatet belyser fyra olika interventioner som har visats sig ha en positiv effekt på cancerrelaterad fatigue. Intervention i form av egenvårdsutbildningar där flera professioner hjälpte patienterna med olika egenvårdsåtgärder visade sig ha en bra effekt på cancerrelaterad fatigue. I resultatet framkom även att kost och diet kan ha en påverkan på cancerrelaterad fatigue. Då ett större eller ökat intag av vissa livsmedelsgrupper resulterade i mindre cancerrelaterad fatigue. Träning, där studierna om träning visade att personer som generellt var mer fysisk aktiva uppgav lägre nivåer av cancerrelaterad fatigue jämfört med personer som inte var lika fysisk aktiva. Massage, som när det utfärdades i samband med cytostatikabehandling sågs minska patienternas upplevelse av cancerrelaterad fatigue.  Slutsats  Resultatet visar att multimodala egenvårdutbildningar, kost, träning och massage har en mätbar effekt på cancerrelaterad fatigue. Studien visar att olika typer av interventioner har en god effekt på både kort och långt sikt vid cancerrelaterad fatigue. Fot- och ryggmassage har en omedelbar effekt i samband med utförande under cytostatikabehandling. Medan multimodala egenvårdutbildningar, kost och träning ger mer långsiktigt effekt på känslan av fatigue. / Background  Fatigue is a common symptom in patients with cancer. This occurs early in the disease and persists throughout the treatment. Fatigue may also persist after treatment is completed. It is common for the severity of fatigue to increase during cancer treatment. Fatigue is often described as the most severe side effect of cancer and the one that has the greatest negative impact on patients' lives. There are large gaps in knowledge about fatigue and its treatment among healthcare professionals at present.  Aim  The aim was to describe nursing interventions that reduce patients’ feelings of cancer-related fatigue.  Method  This non-systematic literature review is based on 15 scientific articles obtained from the databases PubMed and CINAHL. The articles have undergone a systematic selection process and been quality reviewed with the help of Sophiahemmet University assessment instruments. Subsequently, the authors have performed an integrated analysis.  Results  Two main categories and four subcategories were identified. The result highlights four different interventions that have been shown to have a positive effect on cancer-related fatigue. Intervention in the form of self-care training where several professions helped patients with various self-care measures turned out to have a good effect on cancer-related fatigue. The results also showed that diet influences cancer related fatigue. A larger or increased intake of certain food groups resulted in less cancer-related fatigue. Exercise, in which the studies on exercise showed that people who were generally more physically active reported lower levels of cancer-related fatigue compared to people who were not as physically active. Massage, which when issued in conjunction with chemotherapy treatment, was seen to reduce patients' experience of cancer-related fatigue.  Conclusions  The results show that exercise, diet, massage and multimodal self-care education have a measurable effect on cancer-related fatigue. The study shows that different types of interventions have a good effect in both the short and long term in cancer-related fatigue. Where foot and back massage has an immediate effect in connection with execution during cytostatic treatment. While exercise, diet and multimodal self-care education provide more long-term effects.

O câncer e o processo de hospitalização comumente cursam com forte impacto psicológico sobre as crianças e adolescentes, gerando estresse e fadiga. Isto aplica-se especialmente, para àqueles sob quimioterapia, pois esta, constitui-se em uma das experiências mais estressantes e ameaçadoras que pode exacerbar os sintomas relacionados ao câncer e levar a uma diminuição da qualidade de vida (QV). O estresse associado ao desenvolvimento do câncer pode causar disrupturas no eixo hipotálamo-hipófise-adrenal, e suprimir importantes vias neuroimunoendócrinas. Assim, intervenções destinadas a atenuar as alterações fisiológicas relacionadas ao estresse podem favorecer a recuperação do sistema imune e induzir alterações neuroimunoendócrinas para potencializar a vigilância imunológica durante o tratamento oncológico. Com o aumento da incidência de câncer, é crucial que os profissionais de saúde desenvolvam intervenções eficazes para o manejo dos sintomas oncológicos, de modo a aliviar a sobrecarga do tratamento nesses pacientes durante o processo de hospitalização, de modo a contribuir para um melhor prognóstico da doença. Ademais, pacientes pediátricos oncológicos podem se beneficiar de intervenções não-farmacológicas, por exemplo, a intervenção dos clowns, para aliviar os sintomas relacionados ao câncer. Contudo, poucos estudos têm investigado os mecanismos moleculares envolvendo a intervenção dos clowns. Nosso objetivo principal foi investigar os efeitos da intervenção dos clowns sobre o estresse psicológico e a fadiga-relacionada ao câncer (FRC) em pacientes pediátricos oncológicos sob quimioterapia. Além disso, nós investigamos se alterações nos níveis de cortisol, ?-amilase (sAA), citocinas e metaloproteinases de matriz (MMP-9) estão associadas com estresse psicológico e com FRC de pacientes pediátricos com osteossarcoma submetidos à intervenção dos clowns. Trata-se de um estudo quase-experimental pré-teste/pós-teste. Foram colhidas oito amostras de saliva em momentos idênticos, isto é, no baseline (pré-intervenção) e no pós-intervenção (+ 1h, + 4h, + 9h e + 13h após o despertar). As concentrações de cortisol salivar, sAA, citocinas e MMP-9 foram mensuradas por ELISA. Dados sociodemográficos e clínicos foram coletados via prontuários médicos, além disso, foram aplicadas a Escala de Estresse Infantil-ESI(TM) e a Escala Multidimensional de Fadiga-PedsQL(TM). Os escores das escalas foram comparados entre o baseline e o pós-intervenção, e também, foram correlacionados com os níveis dos biomarcadores. Para análise dos dados, utilizou-se da estatística descritiva e estatística não paramétrica. Em comparação com as medidas do baseline, observamos que os níveis de estresse psicológico total, bem como os de fadiga geral dos pacientes pediátricos oncológicos, melhoraram significativamente após a intervenção dos clowns ( p= 0.003; p= 0.049, respectivamente). Não houve correlações significativas entre as Áreas sob Curva (AUC) da sAA e do cortisol no baseline e nem no pós-intervenção. Além disso, a intervenção dos clowns reduziu os níveis de IL-1? e de cortisol nos pacientes pediátricos com osteossarcoma. A AUC da IL-1? correlacionou-se positivamente com AUC do cortisol e com a AUC da sAA no pósintervenção. Inversamente, os níveis de IL-6, TNF-?, IL-12p70, IL-10, TGF-? e MMP-9 não mostraram diferenças significativas no pós-intervenção. Em síntese, nossos resultados sugerem que a intervenção dos clowns é uma boa intervenção não-farmacológica para reduzir o estresse psicológico e a FRC em pacientes pediátricos oncológicos sob quimioterapia / Cancer and the hospitalization process often have a psychological impact on the children and adolescents, usually leading to intense stress as well as fatigue. This especially applies to children and adolescents who have been submitted to chemotherapy, since it still constitutes a stressful and threatening experience for them and may exacerbate cancer symptom burden clusters, leading to a decrease in their health related quality of life (QoL). In addition, stress associated with cancer development leads to disturbances/disruption in the hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and suppresses important neuroimmunoendocrine pathways. Hence, interventions aimed at attenuating the physiological changes related to stress favor the recovery of the immune system and, consequently, induce alterations in neuroimmunoendocrine factors that increase immunological surveillance during cancer treatment. With the increase in cancer rates, it is crucial that healthcare professionals develop effective interventions to support pediatric cancer patients during the hospitalization process in order to relieve the burden of cancer treatment, which may contribute to a better prognosis of the disease. In an attempt to alleviate some of the cancer-related symptoms, pediatric oncology patients can take advantage of non-pharmacological interventions, including clown intervention, which can be a very advantageous approach to reduce unpleasant symptoms in pediatric cancer patients. However, few studies have investigated the molecular mechanisms that mediate health outcomes of clown intervention. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the clown intervention on psychological stress and cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in pediatric cancer inpatients undergoing chemotherapy. Also, we aimed to investigate whether changes in the levels of biomarkers, including cortisol, ?-amylase (sAA), cytokines, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) are associated with psychological stress and CRF levels in pediatric osteosarcoma inpatients following clown intervention. A pretestposttest quasi-experimental study was undertaken with pediatric cancer inpatients. Eight nonfasting saliva samples were collected at identical times upon clown intervention, i.e., at baseline (pre-intervention) and post-intervention (+ 1h, + 4h, + 9h, and + 13h post awakening). Salivary cortisol, sAA, cytokines and MMP-9 concentrations were measured using high sensitivity Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay. Sociodemographic and clinical data, and Child Stress Scale-ESI(TM) and PedsQL(TM) Multidimensional Fatigue Scale were applied and the results were compared at baseline and after the clown intervention, and also correlated with biomarker trajectories. Data analysis was performed using nonparametric statistical tests. In comparison with baseline measurements, the overall psychological stress for pediatric cancer inpatients as well as their perception of fatigue improved upon clown intervention (p= 0.003; p= 0.049, respectively). There were no significant correlations between sAA and cortisol for both Areas Under Curve (AUC) at baseline or at post-intervention. Also, clown intervention reduced IL1? and salivary cortisol levels in pediatric osteosarcoma inpatients. Additionally, AUC for IL1? positively correlated with AUC for cortisol as well as with AUC for sAA at postintervention. In contrast, levels of IL-6, TNF-?, IL-12p70, IL-10, TGF-? and MMP-9 did not show significant differences upon clown intervention. Overall, our results suggest that clown intervention is a good non-pharmacological intervention to reduce psychological stress and CRF in pediatric cancer inpatients undergoing chemotherapy

睡眠失功能信念在慢性失眠的病理上扮演重要的角色，可能讓個體產生不良睡眠行為與過度睡前激發狀態，進而造成失眠。而癌症相關失眠患者由於其病理的獨特性也可能出現其獨特的睡眠失功能信念，本研究探討在癌症相關失眠的病理機轉中加入癌症相關睡眠失功能信念，是否可較單純一般慢性失眠之睡眠失功能信念對癌症相關失眠有更全面的了解。而癌症相關失眠具有許多不同於一般慢性失眠的要素，其中除了與疾病相關的特殊睡眠失功能信念外，尚有可能與睡眠困擾相關的癌因性疲憊干擾存在。因此，本研究的目的在探討：1）加入癌症相關的睡眠信念之整合睡眠失功能信念與失眠症狀的關聯性是否與單純一般的睡眠失功能信念有所不同；2）其影響路徑是否透過不良睡眠行為與睡前激發狀態影響失眠嚴重度；3）疲憊嚴重度是否使整合睡眠失功能信念對不良睡眠行為的預測力增加。本研究使用問卷調查對混合癌症患者進行各因素的測量後 (N=148)，運用結構方程模型進行路徑與因果分析，研究結果顯示，在疲憊嚴重度較高時，加入癌症相關睡眠失功能信念的整合睡眠失功能信念，其中「對失眠之負向影響預期與擔憂」向度會透過睡前生理激發狀態對「失眠對白天功能影響」程度有正向預測力、而「安眠藥物對疾病影響」向度對「失眠對白天功能影響」程度有負向預測力、不良睡眠行為對「失眠對白天功能影響」程度有正向預測力、一般睡眠失功能信念之預測路徑則多透過認知激發狀態影響；在疲憊嚴重度較低時，「對失眠之負向影響預期與擔憂」向度對「失眠對白天功能影響」程度有正向預測力、「睡眠與健康及病後修復關聯性的信念」向度對「失眠對白天功能影響」程度有負向預測力、「安眠藥物對疾病影響」向度對「睡眠困難」與「主觀痛苦」程度有正向預測力、一般睡眠失功能信念可預測之細項有所減少。研究結果顯示一般睡眠失功能信念會透過睡前認知激發影響失眠嚴重度，而加入癌症睡眠失功能信念後的整合睡眠失功能信念會透過睡前生理激發影響失眠嚴重度，疲憊嚴重度在其中扮演調節變項的角色，疲憊程度高低會使癌症睡眠失功能信念透過不同路徑影響失眠嚴重度。 / Dysfunctional beliefs about sleep play an important role in the pathological mechanism of chronic insomnia. Sleep-related behaviors and presleep arousal may mediate the relationship between the dysfunctional beliefs and severity of insomnia. Since cancer-related insomnia is associated with specific physiological and psychological conditions, there are specific dysfunctional beliefs that might have different influence to patients' sleep. Also, cancer-related fatigue could be closely related to sleep disturbance in cancer patients and demands to be explored. Therefore, the primary purpose of the current study is to explore: 1) whether adding cancer-related dysfunctional sleep beliefs to general dysfunctional sleep beliefs would show different pattern of association with severity of insomnia, comparing to the pattern of general dysfunctional sleep beliefs alone; 2) whether the sleep behavior and presleep arousal mediate the relationship between the dysfunctional beliefs to severity of insomnia in this path of model or not; 3) whether the severity of fatigue is a moderator of the predictibility of combided dysfunctional sleep beliefs to sleep-related behavior. The study recruited 148 mixed cancer diagnosis patients. They were instructed to fill out a package of questionnaires to assess their dysfunctional sleep beliefs, insomnia severity, cancer-related fatigue, etc. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted for path analysis and causality test. Accroding to the result of SEM, presleep arousal was found to be a mediator of the positive association between the beliefs about “expectation and worries of negative consequence of insomnia” and daytime difficulties among subjects with high level of fatigue. Also the beliefs about “harmfulness of hypnotic” have negative predictibility to “daytime difficulty” in these subjects. Sleep behavior, on the other hand, have positive prediction to the “daytime difficulty”. General sleep dysfunctional beliefs showed pathway through presleep cognitive arousal level. For subjects with lower level of fatigue, the beliefs about “expectation and worries of negative consequence of insomnia” have positive association with the “daytime difficulty”. The beliefs about “beliefs about association between sleep and health and recovery from illnesss” were shown to have negative prediction to the “daytime difficulty”. The belief about “hypnotic related to disease” showed positive association with the “sleep difficulty” and associated “distress”. General sleep dysfunctional beliefs had less predictive factors. Based on the results of this study, adding cancer-related dysfunctional sleep beliefs was shown to have different relationship with severity of insomnia compared to general sleep dysfunctional beliefs. General dysfunctional sleep beliefs showed a pathway to insomnia severity through the mediation presleep cognitive arousal level. On the other hand, combided sleep dysfunctional beliefs showed a pathway to insomnia severity through the mediation of presleep somatic arousal level. Furthermore, severity of fatigue is a moderator. Subjets differed in the level of fatigue showed different path from combided dysfunctional sleep beliefs to severity of insomnia.

In Anbetracht steigender Inzidenzraten für Tumorerkrankungen, bei gleichzeitig steigenden Überlebensraten, gewinnt die Frage nach der verbleibenden gesundheitsbezogenen Lebensqualität (HRQOL) im klinischen Alltag immer größere Bedeutung. Für einige HRQOL- Domänen bzw. Symptom-Items konnte bereits gezeigt werden, dass diese mit der Überlebenszeit von Patienten korrelieren bzw. Prädiktoren für längeres Überleben sind. Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war es die gesundheitsbezogenen Lebensqualität (HRQOL) bei einer großen Kohorte (N=1879) deutscher Tumorpatienten zu untersuchen. Mit Hilfe des Fragebogens EORTC QLQ-C30 (Version 3.0) wurde die physische Funktion, Rollenfunktion, emotionale Funktion, kognitive Funktion, soziale Funktion, Fatigue und die globale Lebensqualität gemessen. Aus der Krankenakte der betreffenden Patienten wurden relevante soziodemographische Merkmale (Alter, Geschlecht, Nationalität, Body-Mass-Index) und klinische Merkmale (Diagnose, TNM- Stadium, Therapieform, Intervall seit Diagnose, Rehabilitationsmaßnahme) extrahiert und statistisch ausgewertet. Wir stellten fest, dass die Tumorpatienten in allen HRQOL-Domänen starke Beeinträchtigungen im Vergleich zur gesunden deutschen Allgemeinbevölkerung zeigen. In besonderem Maße zeigten sich jüngere Tumorpatienten (≤59Jahre) beeinträchtigt. Weiterhin sahen wir klinisch relevante Beeinträchtigungen bei Patienten mit einer Therapiekombination aus Radio- und Chemotherapie, Patientinnen mit Brustkrebs und Tumoren des weiblichen Genitaltrakts und Patienten mit Migrationshintergrund aus Südosteuropa. Im gesamten Patientenkollektiv stellten wir eine überdurchschnittlich hohe Ausprägung von Fatigue (CRF) fest. Aufgrund der gemessenen Beeinträchtigungen der HRQOL, sowie der hohen Ausprägung von CRF sollten den betroffenen Patienten möglichst frühzeitig zusätzliche spezifische Therapie-Angebote unterbreitet werden, wie z.B. eine onkologische Rehabilitation und psycho-onkologische Therapiemaßnahmen, denn diese Intervention zeigte eine klinisch relevante Verbesserung in allen HRQOL-Domänen. Die routinemäßige Erfassung der subjektiven Lebensqualität der Betroffenen stellt in unseren Augen eine wichtige Zielgröße dar, welcher in der Routineversorgung neben objektiven Befunden (wie Tumoransprechen usw.) viel mehr Beachtung geschenkt werden sollte.