Symptom occurrence and associated clinical factors in nursing home residents with cancer.

Full Abstract

Little is known about the factors that contribute to symptoms in nursing home residents with cancer. We compared rates of symptoms in residents with (n = 1,022) and without cancer (n = 9,910) and examined physiologic, psychologic and situational factors potentially related to symptoms in residents with cancer. Pain, shortness of breath, vomiting, weight loss, and diarrhea were significantly (p < .05) more prevalent in residents with cancer. Cancer treatments, comorbid illnesses, and situational factors were not consistently correlated with symptoms. Improved symptom control was especially needed for the 30% of residents with cancer who clinically deteriorated within 3 months of admission; physical dependence and deteriorating clinical status were associated with pain, shortness of breath, and weight loss. Copyright 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Author information

Author/s: Duncan, Jennifer G (JG); Bott, Marjorie J (MJ); Thompson, Sarah A (SA); Gajewski, Byron J (BJ);

Affiliation: University of Kansas School of Nursing, Kansas City, KS, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Research in nursing & health (Res Nurs Health), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Aug; vol 32 (issue 4) : pp 453-64

Dates: Created 2009/07/21; Completed 2009/08/11;

PMID: 19444814, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 8/21/2009, IMS Date: )

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