Symptom Experiences and Symptom Cluster across Dimensions in Thais with Advanced Lung Cancer

Authors

  • Thidarat Khamboon RN, PhD Candidate, Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University, Thailand
  • Kanaungnit Pongthavornkamol RN, PhD, Associate Professor, Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University, Thailand
  • Karin Olson RN, PhD, Professor, Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
  • Doungrut Wattanakitkrileart RN, DNS, Associate Professor, Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University, Thailand
  • Chukiat Viwatwongkasem PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol Univesity, Thailand
  • Wirote Lausoontornsiri MD, Director Clinical cancer research, National Cancer Institute of Thailand

Keywords:

Advanced lung cancer, Chemotherapy, Symptom experience, Symptom cluster, Thailand

Abstract

                 This study explores symptom experiences and symptom clusters in persons with advanced lung cancer receiving chemotherapy. Using convenience sampling, 300 Thai participants with advanced lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy were recruited from one university hospital and cancer hospital in Bangkok. Data were collected using two questionnaires: a demographic questionnaire, and the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale. Descriptive statistics was used to determine symptom experience, and a Principal Component Factor with a Varimax rotation was used to analyze clustering of symptoms.

                The results showed that the participants experienced multiple symptoms simultaneously. Lack of appetite was rated as the most prevalent and severe symptom. A problem with urination was rated as the most frequent symptom and constipation was rated as the most distressing symptom. Five symptom clusters existed in both dimensions of symptom severity and distress. However, the symptoms that loaded in each cluster and the name of the clusters were slightly different. The clusters in severity were ‘Emotional-elimination discomfort’, ‘Anorexia-related’, ‘Treatment-related gastrointestinal and other’, ‘Neurological and body image’, and ‘Respiratory and sleep disturbance’. Clusters in symptom distress were ‘Emotional-elimination discomfort’, ‘Body image’, ‘Anorexia-related’, ‘Treatment-related gastrointestinal and other’, ‘Treatment-related neurological and other’. Future research needs a longitudinal design to identify symptom patterns that might change over time along the disease and treatment trajectory. Our findings could be used to develop an intervention program for managing cluster of symptoms, provided they have an underlying common cause.

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Published

2015-11-18

How to Cite

1.
Khamboon T, Pongthavornkamol K, Olson K, Wattanakitkrileart D, Viwatwongkasem C, Lausoontornsiri W. Symptom Experiences and Symptom Cluster across Dimensions in Thais with Advanced Lung Cancer. PRIJNR [Internet]. 2015 Nov. 18 [cited 2024 Nov. 18];19(4):330-44. Available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/PRIJNR/article/view/31213

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 4 (2015): October-December 2015

Section

Original paper

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Copyright: The Pacific Rim International Journal of Nursing Research, Thailand Nursing & Midwifery Council has exclusive rights to publish, reproduce and distribute the manuscript and all contents therein.