Characteristics of Fatigue of Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients in the Perioperative Period

Abstract

[Purpose] This study investigated the characteristics of fatigue of gastrointestinal cancer patients in the perioperative period. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty-three gastrointestinal cancer patients were assessed using the cancer fatigue scale (CFS) and their characteristics of fatigue were investigated using factor analysis of CFS sub-scales. [Results] Three factors were identified and their loadings were respectively 24.5, 17.9, and 17.3%. They were different from the original CFS factors of physical, mental, and cognitive fatigue, and were interpreted as physical durability, mental, and initial action fatigue. [Conclusion] In gastrointestinal cancer patients, physical durability and initial action fatigue are commingled, and there is a possibility that unique characteristics of fatigue, including various factors, exist.