Evaluating cancer related fatigue during treatment according to children's, adolescents' and parents' perspectives in a sample of Greek young patients

Abstract

Introduction Cancer related fatigue in children and adolescents has received limited clinical attention. The aim of the study is to assess the change in fatigue scores during cancer treatment according to children's, adolescents' and parents' perspectives and to describe the possible causes of fatigue from children's, adolescents' and parents' view.

Patients and methods The sample consisted of 40 children aged 7–12 years old, 29 adolescents aged 13–15 years old with cancer and one of their parents. Three measurements were performed for the evaluation of cancer related fatigue. Three versions of the instrument for the assessment of fatigue in pediatric patients with cancer were used: «The Child Fatigue Scale» (CFS), «The Adolescent Fatigue Scale» (AFS) and «The Parent Fatigue Scale» (PFS). The survey was performed from March 2003 till October 2006.

Results Children (F = 6.85, p = 0.00), adolescents (F = 4.15, p = 0.03) and parents (F = 3.98, p = 0.02) reported a statistically significant increase in fatigue scores during their treatment. The hospital environment was assessed as the most contributing factor of fatigue by the three groups.

Conclusions Cancer treatment was found significantly to increase children's fatigue levels. Medical procedures and the hospital environment seemed to be major causative factors of the fatigue experienced by young patients with cancer during their treatment.