Relationship Between Changes in Fatigue and Physical Function, Anxiety, and Depression in Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancer in the Perioperative Period / The Japanese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine

ABSTRACT

<p>Objective：The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in fatigue and related factors in patients with gastrointestinal cancer in the perioperative period.</p><p>Methods：The study included 46 patients with gastrointestinal cancer (25 men and 21 women aged 62.0±11.9 years). The Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS) was used to measure fatigue. The Hospitality Anxiety Depression scale (HAD) was used to measure anxiety and depression. The isometric knee extension force (IKEF) and 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) were used to measure physical function. These examinations were performed at three stages：before surgery, after surgery, and after discharge.</p><p>Results：CFS scores were high before surgery, and then gradually decreased across the stages. CFS scores were positively correlated with anxiety and depression at all three stages. Moreover, CFS scores were negatively correlated with 6MWD and IKEF before surgery and after discharge.</p><p>Conclusion：Fatigue was related to anxiety and depression at all three stages. In addition, fatigue was negatively correlated with exercise tolerance and IKEF before surgery and after discharge. It is suggested that an intervention for improving physical function is important to decrease fatigue before surgery and after discharge in patients with gastrointestinal cancer in the perioperative period.</p>