• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.205-212
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• 2002

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of nausea, vomiting, anorexia, fatigue and quality of life as well as to determine the relationship between those variables and identify the influencing factors on fatigue and quality of life in stomach cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Method: Subjects were 94 stomach cancer patients undergoing postoperational chemotherapy in a general hospital in Seoul. Nausea and vomiting were measured with Rhodes et al(1984) and anorexia with one 5-point item. Fatigue was measured using Lee's tool(1999) except open questions. The tool for quality of life was modified based on the Quality of Life Index by Padilla et al(1983). Result: Subjects reported low level of fatigue(mean=3.86, range=0-10) compared with the results of previous researches and moderate quality of life(mean=2.64, range=1-4). Fatigue was positively correlated with nausea, vomiting and anorexia(r=.21 ~ .55, p<.05). Quality of life was negatively correlated with nausea, vomiting, anorexia(r= -.24 ~ -.45, p<.05) and fatigue (r=-.61, p<.01). Multiple regression analysis revealed that activity level, vomiting before admission, anorexia during chemotherapy and age explained 52.8% of the variance in fatigue. Fatigue, anorexia before admission, age and sex explained 50.5% of the variance in quality of life. Fatigue and quality of life were not influenced by the stage of disease, nor weight change. Conclusion: These results may contribute to a better understanding of how much the side effects of anticancer drugs can affect fatigue and quality of life in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Also it is the remarkable fact that symptoms remaining after discharge such as vomiting or anorexia continued until re-admission, contributing to patients fatigue and lowered their quality of life.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
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• v.3 no.2 s.5
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• pp.87-91
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• 2003

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the availability of propofol and fentanyl (P + F) with diazepam and morphine (D + M) for intravenous conscious sedation during third molar surgery. Methods: Forty patients without systemic disease were operated under IV conscious sedation administered by either of the two techniques. Monitoring consisted of continuous observation of pulse rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and the respiratory rate and were recorded every 15 minutes. Cooperation score was measured 5 and 15 minutes after induction of IV sedation. Following the operation, the surgeon and patients completed questionnaires including pain visual analog scale, amnesia, and side effects. Results: The P + F group was significantly more cooperative than the D + M group. The side effects of D + M group included pain on injection, nausea/vomiting and abdominal pain. The side effects of P + F group included talkativeness, nausea/vomiting, temporary apnea, pain on injection and vertigo. Conclusions: In this study, there were following benefits in the P + F group; more cooperative status and less pain perception. But respiratory depression developed in some patients.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2019

Background: Because of its efficacy and safety, polyethylene glycol (PEG) is generally used to prepare for colonoscopy. However, the side effects of PEG, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, pain, and general weakness, tend to decrease patient compliance and satisfaction. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of PEG with 0.1 mg ramosetron on colonoscopy patients who had difficulty taking PEG due to side effects or large volume. Methods: From January to August in 2012, 28 patients who visited Yeungnam University hospital for a colonoscopy were prospectively enrolled. All enrolled patients were previous history underwent colonoscopy using PEG only in our hospital. The efficacy and safety of ramosetron were assessed through the use of a questionnaire, and compared previous bowel preparation. Results: Compared to previous examination, the patients using the ramosetron reported less nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and abdominal pain, as well as a higher degree of compliance and satisfaction of the patient. There were no side effects reported with the use of ramosetron. However, overall bowel preparation quality was not better than the previous examination. Conclusion: In case of the use of ramosetron in combination with PEG for bowel preparation, patients experienced a higher rate of compliance and tolerance. Looking forward, ramosetron may become an option of pretreatment for bowel preparation.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.76-81
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• 2015

Gastrointestinal side effects including nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, oral mucositis and colitis, and hepatotoxicity are common occurrence during chemotherapy. Often they result in unplanned admission and interruption of scheduled therapy. Additionally they have a negative influence on patient's therapeutic outcome and quality of life. The assessment of gastrointestinal side effects is dependent on clinician assignment of a grade established by the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. Continued interest of gastrointestinal side effects has allowed identifying patients at higher risk and providing effective treatments to relieve painful symptom. Finally, proper prevention and management of chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal side effects will be needed to improve patient's survival and quality of life.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 1998

Background: Epidural coadministration of opioids and local anesthetics has provided excellent analgesia during postoperative period. However, it is usually associated with the occurance of many side effects which were induced by epidural morphine. Low dose of intravenous naloxone has been known to reduce morphine-induced side effects without reversing analgesia, but the effect of epidural naloxone has not been defined in human study. Therefore we evaluated side effects and analgesia when naloxone was administered via epidural route. Methods: Eighty patients having epiduro-general anesthesia for hysterectomy were randomly assigned to one of four study groups. As a mean of postoperative pain control, all received 2 mg of epidural morphine bolusly at 1 hr before the end of surgery and continuous epidural infusion was started by Two-day Infusor containing morphine 4 mg in 0.125% bupivacaine 100 ml with either none of naloxone(Group 1, n=20), 2 ug/kg/day of naloxone(Group 2, n=20), 3 ug/kg/day of naloxone(Group 3, n=20) or 4 ug/kg/day of naloxone(Group 4, n=20). Study endpoints included visual analog scales(VAS) for pain, severity of nausea, itching, somnolence and respiratory depression. They were assessed at 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 48 hr postoperatively. Results: VAS for pain showed significant difference in Group 4 compared with Group 1 at all of the evaluation time. Itching score decreased significantly in Group 3 and 4 after 8 hr postoperatively and nausea score decreased significantly in Group 3 after 4 hr postoperatively. Alertness score decreased significantly in Group 3 and 4 especially in early postoperative period. Conclusion: This study suggests that epidural naloxone reduce morphine-induced side effects in dose-dependent fashion without reversal of the analgesic effect of epidural morphine.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.3877-3880
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• 2016

Nausea and vomiting are among the most serious side effects of chemotherapy, in some cases leading to treatment interruption or chemotherapy dose reduction. Ginger has long been known as an antiemetic drug, used for conditions such as motion sickness, nausea-vomiting in pregnancy, and post-operation side effects. One hundred and fifty female patients with breast cancer entered this prospective study and were randomized to receive ginger (500 mg ginger powder, twice a day for 3 days) or placebo. One hundred and nineteen patients completed the study: 57 of them received ginger and 62 received ginger for the first 3 chemotherapy cycles. Mean age in all patients was 48.6 (25-79) years. After 1st chemotherapy, mean nausea in the ginger and control arms were 1.36 (${\pm}1.31$) and 1.46 (${\pm}1.28$) with no statistically significant difference. After the $2^{nd}$ chemotherapy session, nausea score was slightly more in the ginger group (1.36 versus 1.32). After $3^{rd}$ chemotherapy, mean nausea severity in control group was less than ginger group [1.37 (${\pm}1.14$), versus 1.42 (${\pm}1.30$)]. Considering all patients, nausea was slightly more severe in ginger arm. In ginger arm mean nausea score was 1.42 (${\pm}0.96$) and in control arm it was 1.40 (${\pm}0.92$). Mean vomiting scores after chemotherapy in ginger arm were 0.719 (${\pm}1.03$), 0.68 (${\pm}1.00$) and 0.77 (${\pm}1.18$). In control arm, mean vomiting was 0.983 (${\pm}1.23$), 1.03 (${\pm}1.22$) and 1.15 (${\pm}1.27$). In all sessions, ginger decreased vomiting severity from 1.4 (${\pm}1.04$) to 0.71 (${\pm}0.86$). None of the differences were significant. In those patients who received the AC regimen, vomiting was less severe ($0.64{\pm}0.87$) comparing to those who received placebo ($1.13{\pm}1.12$), which was statistically significant (p-Value <0.05). Further and larger studies are needed to draw conclusions.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 2003

Purpose: The study was done to identify the relationship of treatment side effects, family support, and quality of life in patients with cancer, and factors influencing quality of life. Method: A convenience sample of 106 patients who were receiving cancer treatment at W hospital were interviewed using the Side Effects scale by Hur, Family Support scale by Kang, and QOL scale by Ro. Result: Results indicate that women experienced more severe side effects than men. There was a negative relationship between side effects and quality of life, and a positive relationship between family support and quality of life. The most bothersome side effects were changes in taste and appetite, followed by general weakness and fatigue. Side effects such as loss of hair, nausea, dizziness, numbness, pins and needles in fingers and toes, and dry mouth were also experienced. General weakness and family support were analysed as to whether they were factors influencing quality of life. Conclusion: The results revealed that relieving general weakness should be given high priority in nursing interventions for patients undergoing cancer treatment. In addition, nursing programs should be developed that can reinforce family support.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.83-93
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• 2002

Purpose : This study was conducted to determine the relationships between conditioned variables and the quality of life in the gastric cancer patients receiving chemotherapy after surgery. Method : 56 gastric cancer patients receiving chemotherapy included Cisplatin and 5-Fu were recruited from one university hospital located in Seoul. Questionnaires for this study were Quality of life Index developed by Padilla et al. at 1983, Rhode's nausea and vomiting scale and tool for side effects after chemotherapy at home developed by authors. Result : Quality of life in this study was correlated significantly with age, stage of cancer, nausea and vomiting, and level of side effects of chemotherapy. Quality of life of woman was lower than that of man. Conclusion : It is suggested that nurses be reinforce nurse's discharge education for the patients about increasing oral intake and preventing side effect after discharge from hospital and pay more attention to the change of the quality of life and relevant variables among the gastric cancer patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.21
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• pp.9225-9232
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• 2014

Ensuring adherence to chemotherapy is important to prevent disease progression, prolong survival and sustain good quality of life. Capecitabine is a complex chemotherapeutic agent with many side effects that might affect patient adherence to treatment. This cross sectional study aimed to determine adherence to capecitabine and its contributing factors among cancer outpatients in Malaysia. One hundred and thirteen patients on single regime capecitabine were recruited from Hospital Sultan Ismail and Hospital Kuala Lumpur from October 2013 to March 2014. Adherence was determined based on adherence score using validated Medication Compliance Questionnaire. Patient socio-demographics, disease, and treatment characteristics were obtained from medical records. Satisfaction score was measured using the validated Patient Satisfaction with Healthcare questionnaire. The mean adherence score was 96.1% (standard deviation: 3.29%). The significant contributing factors of adherence to capecitabine were Malay ethnicity [${\beta}=1.3$; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.21, 2.43; p value=0.020], being female [${\beta}=1.8$; 95%CI: 0.61, 2.99; p value=0.003]), satisfaction score [${\beta}=0.08$; 95%CI: 0.06, 1.46; p value=0.035], presence of nausea or vomiting [${\beta}=2.3$; 95%CI: 1.12, 3.48; p value <0.001] and other side effects [${\beta}=1.45$; 95%CI: 0.24, 2.65; p value=0.019]. Adherence to capecitabine was generally high in our local population. Attention should be given to non-Malay males and patients having nausea, vomiting or other side effects. Sufficient information, proactive assessment and appropriate management of side effects would improve patient satisfaction and thus create motivation to adhere to treatment plans.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.13
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• pp.5305-5309
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• 2014

Background: This study aimed to assess the most common physical side effects experienced by local chemotherapy patients. Their perceptions of these side effects and informational needs from clinical pharmacists were also evaluated. Materials and Methods: This was a single-center, cross-sectional study. A face-to-face interview guided by a structured questionnaire with cancer patients admitted to receive repeated cycles of chemotherapy was conducted. Information collected included chemotherapy-related side effects after last chemotherapy experience, the most worrisome side effects, the side effects overlooked by healthcare professionals and the preferred method, amount and source of receiving related information. Results: Of 99 patients recruited, 90 participated in this survey (response rate: 90.9%). The majority were in the age range of 45-64 years (73.3%) and female (93.3%). Seventy-five (83.3%) and seventy-one (78.9%) experienced nausea and vomiting, respectively. Both symptoms were selected as two of the most worrisome side effects (16.7% vs. 33.3%). Other common and worrisome side effects were hair loss and loss of appetite. Symptoms caused by peripheral neuropathies were perceived as the major symptoms being overlooked (6.7%). Most patients demanded information about side effects (60.0%) and they would like to receive as much information as possible (86.7%). Oral conversation (83.3%) remained as the preferred method and the clinical pharmacist was preferred by 46.7% of patients as the educator in this aspect. Conclusions: The high prevalence of chemotherapy-related side effects among local patients is of concern. Findings of their perceptions and informational needs may serve as a valuable guide for clinical pharmacists to help in side effect management in Malaysia.