The influencing factors of cancer-related fatigue in Chinese patients with myelodysplastic syndrome: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) prevalence in Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and identify contributing factors. The goal was to aid in developing interventions to alleviate CRF, and refine clinical nursing practices.

Methods

A cross-section study was conducted from June 2023 to April 2024, recruiting 144 MDS patients from a Shanghai hospital. Surveys and scales were used to assess fatigue, insomnia, caregiving burden, and nutritional status. Statistical analyses, including t-tests, ANOVA, correlation, and regression, were performed to identify CRF influencers.

Results

The study revealed that the mean CRF score among patients with MDS was 28.63 ​± ​9.73, with a median score of 30 (IQR 22–35), indicating moderate CRF levels. CRF showed positive correlations with anxiety/depression, insomnia, nutritional status, and number of chemotherapies, while demonstrating a negative correlation with family support. Multivariate analysis identified age, chemotherapy regimen, Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R) risk category, anxiety/depression, and nutritional status as significant predictors of CRF.

Conclusions

The study identified moderate CRF levels in patients with MDS, with severity influenced by age, IPSS-R risk category, chemotherapy regimen, anxiety/depression, and nutritional status. Multivariate analysis identified anxiety/depression and nutritional status as key contributing factors. These findings highlight the need for further research into the pathogenesis of MDS-associated CRF, particularly focusing on comprehensive assessment and targeted management of anxiety/depression and nutritional status in this patient population.