Experience of Fatigue and Coping Strategies among Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy at a Tertiary Level Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, fatigue is one of the most common distressing symptoms. To deal with them, adequate coping strategies are required. This study aimed to find out the fatigue experience and coping strategies among cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 162 patients with cancer, aged 20 years or above receiving at least the second cycle of chemotherapy at a tertiary care hospital, using consecutive sampling technique. Data were collected from September to October 2024, using the Fatigue Symptom Inventory and Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory Scale. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee of Tribhuvan University, Institute of Medicine (Reference number 89 (6-11) E2 081/082). Data analysis was done by using chi-square, Fisher’s exact and Pearson’s correlation coefficient.

Results: Among 162 patients, 145 (89.50%) had clinically meaningful fatigue and 79 (48.80%) had inadequate coping strategies. Fatigue experience and coping strategies were found to be negatively correlated (r= -0.186, p-value= 0.018). Age, sex, educational status, and physical exercise were significantly associated with fatigue experience. Similarly, age, level of education, ethnicity, occupation, smoking, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status were significantly associated with coping strategies with a p< 0.05.

Conclusions: Fatigue remains a major concern among patients receiving chemotherapy, with a considerable proportion of them demonstrating inadequate coping. The study found negative relationship between fatigue and coping strategies.