Symptom occurrence and associated clinical factors in nursing home residents with cancer |
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| Authors: | Jennifer G Duncan Marjorie J Bott Sarah A Thompson Byron J Gajewski |
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| Institution: | 1. University of Kansas School of Nursing, Kansas City, KS;2. Research Associate.;3. Associate Dean for Nursing Research.;4. University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing, Omaha, NE;5. Professor.;6. Associate Dean of Academic Programs.;7. Department of Biostatistics, University of Kansas Schools of Medicine and Nursing, Kansas City, KS;8. Associate Professor. |
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| Abstract: | Little is known about the factors that contribute to symptoms in nursing home residents with cancer. We compared rates of symptoms in residents with (n = 1,022) and without cancer (n = 9,910) and examined physiologic, psychologic and situational factors potentially related to symptoms in residents with cancer. Pain, shortness of breath, vomiting, weight loss, and diarrhea were significantly (p < .05) more prevalent in residents with cancer. Cancer treatments, comorbid illnesses, and situational factors were not consistently correlated with symptoms. Improved symptom control was especially needed for the 30% of residents with cancer who clinically deteriorated within 3 months of admission; physical dependence and deteriorating clinical status were associated with pain, shortness of breath, and weight loss. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 32: 453–464, 2009 |
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| Keywords: | cancer nursing homes pain symptoms minimum data set (MDS) |
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