PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to determine the changes on Index of Nausea, Vomiting, & Retching (INVR) during a cycle of chemotherapy.

METHODS

Forty-three patients hospitalized for chemotherapy at C University Hospital during a period of 5 days from March to May, 2003 were examined. Scores of INVR were measured once a day. Anxiety, anorexia, fatigue, and sleep satisfaction were measured before chemotherapy. Data was analyzed by repeated measures of ANOVA.

RESULTS

The score of INVR increased over time during the days of hospitalization and showed a peak on the third day. The score was significantly higher on the third and consecutive cycles than on the first and second cycle. The score was significantly higher in patients in their forties and fifties rather than in their sixties. The score was higher in women than in men, and also increased as the sleep satisfaction decreased.

CONCLUSION

These results suggested that specific interventions for relief of nausea & vomiting were needed in middle age, women, the third chemotherapy cycle, and the third day after chemotherapy.