Evaluation of fatigue and quality of life in patients with cancer of the musculoskeletal system undergoing chemotherapy treatment. An observational study

Abstract

Purpose: the aim of the study is to evaluate the presence of fatigue syndrome and the quality of life of patients with cancer of the musculoskeletal system during the first 6 months of chemotherapy and identify possible prognostic factors. Methods: prospective observational study was conducted. All patients about to start antiblastic therapy were consecutively recruited from July 2019 to April 2021. Patient fatigue and quality of life was measured at the start of antiblastic therapy and after 6 months. The BFI score and EORTC QLQ C-30 was used respectively. The variables were defined through a literature search and comparison between professionals. Results: The analysis of risk factors was performed on 98 patients. The mean BFI at 6 months was 2.8 (2.2) and in 36% of patients fatigue was classified from moderate to severe. The average global and functional quality of life decreased by 9.1 and 5.3 points respectively. The strength of the association between the BFI score and the 3 subscales derived from the EORTC was moderate (p<0.001). Smoking status, increase in BMI and the reduction in functional capabilities were independent predictive factors of fatigue. Conclusion: Fatigue syndrome is present in a significant percentage of patients both at the start of chemotherapy treatment and in the following 6 months. Being a no smoker, reducing BMI and increasing functional ability could impact fatigue syndrome. The quality of life for these patients is reduced with a decreasing trend in the first months and associated with fatigue syndrome Registration number (clinicaltrial.gov): NCT04104750 (26/09/2019)