Abstract
Context
Fatigue is a particularly common and troubling symptom that has a negative impact on quality of life throughout all phases of treatment and stages of the illness among patients with cancer.
Objectives
The objective of this meta-analysis is to examine the present status of fatigue prevalence in patients with cancer.
Methods
The following databases were searched: PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, from inception up to February 2020. Prevalence rates were pooled with meta-analysis using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was tested using I-squared (I2) statistics.
Results
A total of 129 studies (N = 71,568) published between 1993 and 2020 met the inclusion criteria. The overall prevalence of fatigue was 49% (34,947 of 71,656 participants, 95% CI = 45–53) with significant heterogeneity between studies (P < 0.000; τ2 = 0.0000; I2 = 98.88%). Subgroup analyses show that the prevalence of fatigue related to type of cancer ranged from 26.2% in patients with gynecological cancer to 56.3% in studies that included mixed types of cancer. In advanced cancer stage patients, the highest prevalence of fatigue (60.6%) was reported. Fatigue prevalence rates were 62% during treatment and 51% during mixed treatment status. The prevalence of fatigue decreased from 64% in studies published from 1996 to 2000 to 43% in studies published from 2016 to 2020. Metaregression identified female gender as a significant moderator for higher prevalence of fatigue, whereas mean age is not associated with fatigue.
Conclusion
This meta-analysis highlights the importance of developing optimal monitoring strategies to reduce fatigue and improve the quality of life of patients with cancer.
Fatigue is a particularly common and troubling symptom that has a negative impact on quality of life throughout all phases of treatment and stages of the illness among patients with cancer.
Objectives
The objective of this meta-analysis is to examine the present status of fatigue prevalence in patients with cancer.
Methods
The following databases were searched: PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, from inception up to February 2020. Prevalence rates were pooled with meta-analysis using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was tested using I-squared (I2) statistics.
Results
A total of 129 studies (N = 71,568) published between 1993 and 2020 met the inclusion criteria. The overall prevalence of fatigue was 49% (34,947 of 71,656 participants, 95% CI = 45–53) with significant heterogeneity between studies (P < 0.000; τ2 = 0.0000; I2 = 98.88%). Subgroup analyses show that the prevalence of fatigue related to type of cancer ranged from 26.2% in patients with gynecological cancer to 56.3% in studies that included mixed types of cancer. In advanced cancer stage patients, the highest prevalence of fatigue (60.6%) was reported. Fatigue prevalence rates were 62% during treatment and 51% during mixed treatment status. The prevalence of fatigue decreased from 64% in studies published from 1996 to 2000 to 43% in studies published from 2016 to 2020. Metaregression identified female gender as a significant moderator for higher prevalence of fatigue, whereas mean age is not associated with fatigue.
Conclusion
This meta-analysis highlights the importance of developing optimal monitoring strategies to reduce fatigue and improve the quality of life of patients with cancer.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 167-189.e14 |
Journal | Journal of Pain and Symptom Management |
Volume | 61 |
Issue number | 1 |
Early online date | 05 Aug 2020 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jan 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Al Maqbali, M., Al Sinani, M., Al Naamani, Z. and Al Badi, K. (2021) ‘Prevalence of fatigue in patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis’, Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 61(1), pp. 167-189Fingerprint
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Fatigue and self-management strategies among patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) receiving haemodialysis: A prospective qualitative exploration conducted in the Sultanate of Oman
Al Naamani, Z. (Author), Gormley, K. (Supervisor), Noble, H. (Supervisor) & Santin, O. (Supervisor), Jul 2022Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy
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