Symptom Clusters in Patients with Bladder Cancer: A Secondary Analysis

Authors

  • Nuttamon Vuttanon
  • Lorna Finnegan
  • Patcharin Chaisurin

Keywords:

Bladder cancer; Symptom clusters; Symptom management

Abstract

Background and Objective: Patients with cancer often have experience of multiple symptoms, which are called symptom clusters, due to the consequence of disease or treatment. Study of symptom clusters may lead to effective management in patients suffering from such symptoms. The aim of this study was to explore the symptom clusters in Thai patients with bladder cancer.

Methods: A secondary analysis of sixty-two bladder cancer patients attending a urology clinic at a Thailand university hospital was done to determine the clustering of symptoms.  

Results: The majority of participants came to hospital for follow-up appointment after complete course of treatment (40.3%), BCG intravesical therapy (27.4%), chemotherapy (21.0%), and radiotherapy (11.3%). Three distinct symptom clusters were identified. First cluster: diarrhea, lack of appetite, sleep disturbance, and fatigue; second cluster: constipation, back pain; and third cluster: frequent urination, and mouth/throat sores.

Conclusion: This study can provide beneficial information for health professionals to consider about clustering symptoms of patients with bladder cancer, and could plan for symptom management more effectively.

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Published

2018-08-21

How to Cite

1.
Vuttanon N, Finnegan L, Chaisurin P. Symptom Clusters in Patients with Bladder Cancer: A Secondary Analysis. SRIMEDJ [Internet]. 2018 Aug. 21 [cited 2024 Nov. 25];33(5):431-7. Available from: https://li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/SRIMEDJ/article/view/141471

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