Evaluation of effect of fatigue on functional status and quality of life in cancer patients

Objectives: This study was carried out in order to determine the effect of fatigue level on the functionality status and quality of life in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. It is a descriptive/correlational research. Materials and Method: Sample of the study comprises 100 cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Patients' feeling of fatigue was assessed using Piper Fatigue Scale and functionality status was assessed using Functional Living Scale-Cancer and ECOG performance score. Findings: More than half of the patients were female (62%) and middle-age adults (56.53 ± 13.56). Thirty one percent of the sample had breast cancer, and 64% were at stage IV cancer. Piper Fatigue Scale score was found 4.13 ± 3.06. Functional Living Scale score of the patients was found 107.90 ± 27.37. Functional Living Scale and Piper Fatigue Scale score averages were found lower for patients who were male, who were in older age group, who were unemployed, who had low education level, who had a chronic disease, diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancers, at cancer stage IV, with a high ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) performance score, and who were hospitalized during chemotherapy. A statistically significant, negative and high correlation was found between Piper Fatigue Scale and Functional Living Scale score averages (r = - 0.88, p< 0.01). Conclusion: High level of fatigue has a negative impact on patients' functional status, preventing them from performing the activities of daily living. Interventions to effectively control factors causing fatigue at cancer patients are vital to promote patients' functional quality of life. Key Words: Cancer, chemotherapy, fatigue, function, quality of life