Fatigue and depression in patients with lymphoma undergoing autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation
Author: El Banna MM, Berger AM, Farr L, Foxall MJ, Friesth B, Schreiner E.
Source:
In Oncology nursing forum (Vol. 31, No. 5).
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe the patterns of depression and fatigue, including
its dimensions, and the relationship between these two variables in patients with
lymphoma undergoing autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation
(PBSCT). DESIGN: Prospective, descriptive, correlational, repeated measures.
SETTING: Midwestern university National Cancer Institute-designated clinical
cancer center. SAMPLE: 27 patients with lymphoma aged 19 to 71 undergoing
autologous PBSCT. METHODS: The revised Piper Fatigue Scale was used to measure
fatigue and its dimensions. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies' Depression
Scale was used to measure depression on selected days at baseline and during
chemotherapy and recovery. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Fatigue and its four
dimensions (behavioral/severity, sensory, cognitive/mood, and affective meaning)
and depression. FINDINGS: Total fatigue, fatigues four dimension scores, and
depression scores changed significantly over time, with the highest scores at day
+ 7 after transplant. Total fatigue and the four dimension scores were highly and
positively correlated with depression, with the highest correlation reported
between the affective fatigue dimension and depression. CONCLUSIONS: The findings
support the importance of assessing fatigue and depression in patients undergoing
autologous PBSCT at baseline, during chemotherapy, and throughout recovery.
IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Routine clinical assessment with close observation
around day +7 after transplant and patient education about the patterns of
fatigue and depression will help the healthcare team to intervene at the
appropriate time and may help patients to better manage these symptoms