Levels of fatigue in Chinese women with breast cancer and its correlates: a cross-sectional questionnaire survey

Abstract

Purpose: To identify the intensity of fatigue among Chinese women with breast cancer and to evaluate the relationships between fatigue, social support, anxiety, depression, clinical factors, and demographic data.

Data sources: Two hundred fifty-two Chinese women with breast cancer were recruited by consecutive convenience sampling from four hospitals in Shanghai, China. Participants completed a demographic survey, the Revised Piper Fatigue Scale--Chinese Version (RPFS-CV), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS); clinical data about cancer stage, treatment, and side effects were extracted from medical records.

Conclusions: Seventy percent of subjects reported experiencing a moderate level of fatigue, 12% a high level of fatigue. Pearson bivariate correlations indicated significant total fatigue scores and a strong correlation with anxiety (r = .580, p < .01) and depression (r = .572, p < .01). No patients reported high levels of social support; 57 (23%) patients received low levels of social support; and 195 (77%) patients reported moderate social support. Overall, fatigue was significantly predicted by anxiety, depression, and pain. Subjective support, income per month, and employment status were negatively correlated with fatigue scores.

Implications for practice: These results yielded a profile of women who are at increased risk for heightened fatigue and suggest ways to intervene clinically to prevent or reduce fatigue in this patient population.