Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common yet under-recognized complication in oncology, significantly impairing patients’ functional capacity and psychological well-being. Although it is one of the most frequently reported symptoms in individuals with cancer, CRF often remains inadequately addressed in routine clinical settings. The present study aims to determine the prevalence of CRF and explore its primary biological and psychological determinants among individuals receiving cancer care. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 280 patients recruited from three oncology centers in Iraq. Fatigue levels were measured using the Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS), and associations with sociodemographic, clinical, and mental health variables were assessed through logistic regression analysis. Results: Moderate to severe fatigue was observed in 62.5% of participants. Higher fatigue scores were significantly associated with female sex (OR = 1.82, P = 0.003), advanced tumor stage (OR = 2.45, P < 0.001), and reduced hemoglobin levels (r = −0.52, P < 0.001). Moreover, elevated anxiety and depression scores, as measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), were strongly correlated with increased fatigue severity. Conclusion: CRF is highly prevalent among patients undergoing cancer treatment and shows strong associations with anemia, psychological burden, and disease progression. Early detection and integrated management approaches are essential to address fatigue and enhance patient outcomes in oncology.
Mohammed et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: