AB013. Nausea-vomiting in lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

Background: Lung cancer is the most common diagnosed type of cancer, being the second tumor in incidence. It represents the first cause of cancer death worldwide in both genders. Chemotherapy is one of treatment type is used. Nausea and vomiting is a frequent side-effect and its occurrence is associated with reduced quality of life. The purpose of this study was to assess nausea and vomiting in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and to determine whether it affects patients’ quality of life.

Methods: This study was descriptive. It was conducted in a large hospital in a major Greek city and the sample was consisted of 96 lung cancer patients. The study was carried out during the third cycle of chemotherapy. The hospital’s Research Committee gave its approval for the study. Subjects were assessed for their nausea-vomiting using the MASCC Antiemesis Tool and their quality of life using the FACT-G scale and the questionnaire includes questions related to demographic and clinical characteristics.

Results: The mean age of patients was 57.21±10.47 years (range, 38–76 years). The majority of the patients were men (n=71, 74%), and 87.5% were married. A percentage of 54.2% were retired and 45.8% were primary school graduates. Percentage of 15.6% experienced vomiting and 34.4% the symptom of nausea. There was a statistical significant correlation between vomiting and functional well-being (r=−0.233 P=0.022) as well as vomiting and professional status. (r=−0.527, P<0,001). Also, there was a statistical significant correlation between nausea and age (r=−0.296, P=0.03), and gender (r=−0.320, P=0.017). Overall, quality of life was correlated well with the times of acute vomiting (r=0.752, P=0.001), and the times of acute nausea (r=0.819, P<0.001).

Conclusions: The symptom of nausea-vomiting is existent in lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and influences their quality of life. The multidisciplinary team should cooperate in order to intervene effectively and relieve the symptom.

Keywords: Lung cancer; chemotherapy; side effects