ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the dynamic changes of symptom clusters in young and middle-aged lymphoma patients receiving chemotherapy. Methods A longitudinal study was conducted among 101 patients with primary lymphoma receiving chemotherapy. The Chinese version of Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale(MSAS-Ch) and the self-designed general questionnaire were applied before chemotherapy (T1),as well as 1 cycle (T2),3 cycles(T3), and 6 cycles (T4) after chemotherapy. Results The incidence and severity of symptoms were different in different chemotherapy circles among lymphoma patients. Symptom clusters structure was relatively unstable. There were 3 symptom clusters (psychology-related,lymphoma B symptoms,disease-related) before receiving chemotherapy. After 1 cycle,there were 3 symptom clusters (psychology-related,chemotherapy side-effect,fatigue-related),After 3 and 6 cycles, there were 4 symptom clusters(psychology-related,gastrointestinal reactions,damaged self-image and other chemothera-py-related). Conclusion Based on the trend of change of different symptom clusters,we can provide focused nurs-ing interventions to prevent and alleviate symptoms,and to improve quality of life.