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Fatigue and return-to-work in cancer patients: Association with work ability and quality of life

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 March 2020

S. Monteiro ,
A. Bártolo ,
A. Andrea ,
S. Diana  and
A. Pereira
S. Monteiro
Affiliation:
Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal CINTESIS, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Centre for Health Technology and Services Research, Porto, Portugal
A. Bártolo
Affiliation:
Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
A. Andrea
Affiliation:
Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
S. Diana
Affiliation:
Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
A. Pereira
Affiliation:
Department of Education and Psychology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal Department of Education and Psychology, CIDTFF, Research Centre on Didactics and Technology in the Education of Trainers, Aveiro, Portugal

Abstract

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Introduction

Fatigue is a common and debilitating problem in cancer survivors. Research show that this symptom endures even in disease-free patients affecting quality of life. Returning to work is physically and emotionally demanding for this population and fatigue levels seems to predict the time taken to return to work and the ability of the worker.

Objective

Our main objective was to explore the direct effect of the fatigue on work ability and quality of life of professionally active cancer survivors. Aims Fatigue levels, work ability and overall quality of life of survivors group were compared with a sample of individuals without cancer history. Relationship between fatigue symptoms and work ability and quality of life were examined within of the survivors group.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 57 cancer survivors and 57 controls (n = 114) and data was collected from two Central Hospitals of Portugal. Participants completed the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue, the Work Ability Index and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General.

Results

Cancer survivors reported higher levels of fatigue than controls and worse work ability and quality of life (P < .001). Controlling the effect of the age and gender, fatigue of the cancer survivors group influenced negatively their overall quality of life (β= –.315, P= .013, R2= .143) but not their work ability.

Conclusions

Although the fatigue has not affected directly the work ability of the cancer survivors, two years or more after the conclusion of the treatments, this symptom has a significant effect on the quality of life.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Type
e-Poster walk: Prevention of mental disorders and promotion of mental health
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 41 , Issue S1: Abstract of the 25th European Congress of Psychiatry , April 2017 , pp. S181
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2017
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