The primary aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of applying diagnostic criteria for cancer-related fatigue syndrome (CRFS) in patients with advanced cancer. A secondary aim was to assess the use of screening instruments for fatigue and depression in this population. Patients with advanced cancer (n=16) were interviewed using the Diagnostic Interview for CRFS and a semi-structured psychiatric interview. Subjects also completed the Bi-dimensional Fatigue Scale (BFS) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) as screening instruments. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders was 50% (8/16). The EPDS was found to have a sensitivity of 67% and a specificity of 100% for detecting depression. The prevalence of clinically significant fatigue symptoms was 62.5% (10/16). The BFS was found to have a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 64% for detecting clinically significant fatigue. The prevalence of CRFS was 12.5% (2/16).
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Murphy et al. (2006) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: