Predicting postoperative fatigue in surgically treated lung cancer patients in Norway: a longitudinal 5-month follow-up study

OBJECTIVES: Despite the negative influence of fatigue on quality of life in patients who undergo lung cancer surgery, little is known about the possible predictors of postoperative fatigue. The aim of this study was to examine demographic and clinical characteristics that might predict postoperative fatigue 5 months after lung cancer surgery. DESIGN: A prospective longitudinal follow-up study comprising preoperative and postoperative questionnaires, including Lee Fatigue Scale, and sociodemographic and clinical data. SETTING: Three university hospitals in Norway (eg, Oslo University Hospital, St. Olav University Hospital and Haukeland University Hospital). PARTICIPANTS: In total, 196 surgically treated patients who answered the questionnaires both preoperatively and at 5-month follow-up with valid fatigue scores. RESULTS: Bivariate analyses showed that preoperative fatigue was associated with comorbidities and the symptoms of shortness of breath, cough, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance and pain. Only cough was directly associated with preoperative fatigue in a regression model. Comorbidities and the symptoms of shortness of breath, cough, depression and sleep disturbance were associated with postoperative fatigue in the bivariate analyses, but only shortness of breath was associated with postoperative fatigue in the regression model. We did not find any significant correlations between fatigue and any treatment variable. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should pay special attention to lung symptoms and be aware that these may lead to long-term postoperative fatigue. Further research should examine whether interventions reducing lung symptoms, such as shortness of breath and coughing, may prevent development of fatigue in patients undergoing lung cancer surgery.