Evaluación de la astenia en pacientes oncológicos avanzados y una propuesta de protocolo de intervención psicológica

Abstract

Fatigue is a symptom with a high incidence in patients with cancer. It is a multifactorial phenomenon, which deteriorates the quality of life of patients, from physical, psychological, social and working points of view. It is one of the symptoms that most concern the patient, even more than pain, medically it is paid little attention, therefore underestimating its importance and not applying the diagnostic tools necessary to identify its causes and to reduce it as far as possible. The aim of this paper is to assess the subjective perception of fatigue in advanced cancer patients, the subjective distress that produces the situation they are living and to assess whether they use strategies to minimize the feeling of tiredness. We consider it necessary to establish a consensus on the measuring instruments used to compare results. We have developed a psychological intervention guideline for management fatigue by promoting the adaptation and adjustment of advanced cancer patients to illness and therefore increase sense of well being and quality of life.