Symptom clusters in adults with chronic health problems and cancer as a comorbidity.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To identify and compare symptom clusters in individuals with chronic health problems with cancer as a comorbidity versus individuals with chronic health problems who do not have cancer as a comorbidity and to explore the effect of symptoms on their quality of life.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of data from two studies. Study 1 was an investigation of the efficacy of an intervention to improve medication adherence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Study 2 was an investigation of the efficacy of an intervention for urinary incontinence (UI) in older adults.

SETTING

School of Nursing at the University of Pittsburgh.

SAMPLE

The sample for study 1 was comprised of 639 adults with RA. The sample for study 2 was comprised of 407 adults with UI. A total of 154 (15%) subjects had a history of cancer, 56 (9%) of the subjects with RA and 98 (25%) of the subjects with UI.

METHODS

Analysis of existing comorbidity and symptom data collected from both studies.

MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES

Symptom clusters, chronic disease, and cancer as a comorbidity.

FINDINGS

Individuals with chronic health problems who have cancer may not have unique symptom clusters compared to individuals with chronic health problems who do not have cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

The symptom clusters experienced by the study participants may be more related to their primary chronic health problems and comorbidities.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Additional studies are needed to examine symptom clusters in cancer survivors. As individuals are living longer with the disease, a comprehensive understanding of the symptom clusters that may be unique to cancer survivors with comorbidities is critical.