Early postoperative core symptoms and their relationship with resilience in oesophageal cancer patients—A multicentre cross‐sectional study

Abstract

AbstractAimTo assess early postoperative core symptoms in oesophageal cancer patients and their relationship with resilience.BackgroundPatients with oesophageal cancer face a high number of severe symptoms in the early post‐operative period and require the development of an effective symptom management programme. Identifying core symptoms through network analysis helps in accurate patient care.DesignA multicentre cross‐sectional study.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey was conducted from August 2022 to August 2023 at three hospitals in Anhui Province, China. A total of 469 patients were recruited for this study and 418 (89.1%) patients completed this investigation. Using network analysis to find early post‐operative core symptoms in oesophageal cancer patients. Multiple linear regression was used to analyse resilience factors affecting core symptoms.ResultsSadness was the most core symptom in oesophageal cancer patients in the early post‐operative period (rs = 1.41), followed by incision pain and difficulty breathing while resting (rs = 1.20, rs = 1.08). Resilience was significantly associated with patients' feelings of sadness, with optimism having the greatest impact on sadness (p < .01).ConclusionSadness is the most core symptom in patients in the early post‐operative period and special attention should be paid to improving their level of resilience. Local symptoms and dysfunction in the early post‐operative period should be treated in a synergistic manner.ImpactThis study identifies core symptoms and their relationship to resilience in patients with oesophageal cancer in the early post‐operative period. Symptoms as the main core symptom in patients in the early post‐operative period, which was sadness and was significantly associated with resilience. Precise interventions can be made to target patients' core post‐operative symptoms, which can help improve the effectiveness of symptom management.Reporting MethodWe have complied with the relevant EQUATOR research reporting checklist.Patient or Public ContributionNo patient or public contribution in the study.