Prevalence of fatigue among pediatric cancer patients in Egypt

Abstract

Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common side effect of cancer and cancer treatment that impacts quality of life. To our knowledge, statistics on its prevalence in children are lacking in Egypt. This study aims to record the prevalence and key dimensions of fatigue in pediatric oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy in Egypt and identify its predictors to inform management strategies. Methods: This study was conducted between October and December 2022 at Dar El Salam Oncology Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. Interviewed participants were children aged 8–18 years with cancer, prescribed chemotherapy, and not in severe distress. The children personally filled out 2 questionnaires relating to fatigue (PROMIS Pediatric Short Forms of Fatigue (PROMIS fatigue), pedsQL multidimensional fatigue (PedsQL fatigue)), and 3 symptoms-related questionnaires. Results: A total of forty-two children (47.6% female) (mean age 12.1 years (SD 3.3 years)) participated. Reported moderate to severe fatigue in children is between half to a third of the children depending on the measurement tool used. The mean T-score for PROMIS fatigue was 53.76 (SD 12.5), and for PedsQL fatigue was 74.27 (SD 21.79). Stepwise standardized multivariant linear regression showed that fatigue following PROMIS fatigue could be predicted by depressive symptoms (β= 0.47, p < 0.001) and mobility (β= -0.39, p < 0.01) while following PedsQL fatigue, it could be predicted by upper extremity function (β = 0.34, p 0.005), depressive symptoms (β =-0.49, p < 0.001) and treatment status (β=-0.25, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Cancer-related fatigue of oncology children patients in Egypt is multifactorial and prevalent in more than 52% of the patients. Moreover, significant predicting factors included depression, mobility especially upper extremity function, and treatment status. Fatigue screening and controlling these factors in pediatric oncology patients is advisable to improve their medical care plan.