Poort H, et al. – Experts aimed at delineating the prevalence of severe fatigue in adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients (aged 18–35 years at diagnosis) consulting a multidisciplinary AYA team in comparison with gender– and age–matched population–based controls. In this group of AYAs with cancer, the prevalence of severe fatigue based on a validated cut–off score was high. Severe fatigue significantly influenced Quality of Life (QoL). This outcome suggested detecting and managing this symptom in those patients affected by a life–changing diagnosis of cancer in late adolescence or young adulthood.

Methods

• Questionnaires including the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS-fatigue), Quality of Life (QoL)-Cancer Survivor, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (reflecting psychological distress), and the Cancer Worry Scale (reflecting fear of cancer recurrence or progression) were completed by AYAs with cancer (n = 83).

Results

• In this study, the vast majority of participants had been treated with chemotherapy (87%) and had no active treatment at the time of participation (73.5%).
• Findings revealed significantly higher prevalence of severe fatigue (CIS-fatigue score ≥35) in AYAs with cancer (48%, n = 40/83) in comparison with matched population-based controls (20%, n = 49/249; p < .001).
• As compared to non-severely fatigued AYAs with cancer (p < .05), severely fatigued AYAs with cancer reported lower QoL.
• A significant correlation was found between female gender, being unemployed, higher disease stage (III–IV) at diagnosis, receiving active treatment at the time of study participation, being treated with palliative intent, having had radiotherapy, higher fear of recurrence or progression, as well as higher psychological distress and fatigue severity (p < .05).