The influence of patients’ gender and education level on the incidence of chemotherapy-induced anticipatory nausea and vomiting

Abstract

Introduction: The incidence of anticipatory nausea and vomiting is 30% among patients receiving repeat chemotherapy. Aims: The aim of the authors was to investigate the influence of gender and education level on the incidence of chemotherapy-induced anticipatory nausea and vomiting. Methods: Using a complex questionnaire 205 patients (60 men and 145 women; mean age: 63.3 years) were evaluated during an 8-months period from May 1 to December 31, 2008 in the Oncology Department of Zala County Hospital. The patients suffered from breast and colorectal cancer, treated by chemotherapy. The chemotherapy protocols contained drugs with high and moderate emetic risk. The patients were interviewed at the time of their second and third chemotherapeutical cycle. Besides clinical symptoms the questionnaires provided information about the patients’ gender and education level. Results: The incidence of anticipatory nausea and vomiting was 27.8% (men, 21.7%; women, 30.3%). The data obtained correlated well to those published in the literature. Alprazolam 0.5 mg twice a day was given to 21 female patients. Psychotherapy was not necessary. Conclusions: The anticipatory nausea and vomiting frequently occur among female patients, and they show correlation with the education level. Orv. Hetil., 2013, 154, 820–824.