Cited by 288Cancer survivorship and careCancer-related cognitive impairment studiesFrailty in Older Adults

Prevalence of Fatigue in Patients With Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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Al Maqbali, Mohammed, Al Sinani, Mohammed, Al Naamani, Zakariya, Al Badi, Khalid, Tanash, Mu'ath Ibrahim·2021·Journal of Pain and Symptom Management

Abstract

Context Fatigue is a particularly common and troubling symptom that has a negative impact on quality of life throughout all phases of treatment and stages of the illness among patients with cancer.Objectives The objective of this meta-analysis is to examine the present status of fatigue prevalence in patients with cancer.Methods The following databases were searched: PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, from inception up to February 2020. Prevalence rates were pooled with meta-analysis using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was tested using I-squared (I 2) statistics.Results A total of 129 studies (N = 71,568) published between 1993 and 2020 met the inclusion criteria. The overall prevalence of fatigue was 49% (34,947 of 71,656 participants, 95% CI = 45-53) with significant heterogeneity between studies (P < 0.000; τ 2 = 0.0000; I 2 = 98.88%). Subgroup analyses show that the prevalence of fatigue related to type of cancer ranged from 26.2% in patients with gynecological cancer to 56.3% in studies that included mixed types of cancer. In advanced cancer stage patients, the highest prevalence of fatigue (60.6%) was reported. Fatigue prevalence rates were 62% during treatment and 51% during mixed treatment status. The prevalence of fatigue decreased from 64% in studies published from 1996 to 2000 to 43% in studies published from 2016 to 2020. Metaregression identified female gender as a significant moderator for higher prevalence of fatigue, whereas mean age is not associated with fatigue.Conclusion This meta-analysis highlights the importance of developing optimal monitoring strategies to reduce fatigue and improve the quality of life of patients with cancer.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.07.037

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Authors
Al Maqbali, M., Al Sinani, M., Al Naamani, Z., Al Badi, K., & Tanash, M. I.
Affiliations
Hashemite University (JO)
Venue
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-01
Volume
61
Issue
1
Pages
167-189.e14
ISSN
0885-3924 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3047104495
Cited by
288
References
170
Citations by year
2026: 55 · 2025: 65 · 2024: 67 · 2023: 49 · 2022: 35 · 2021: 17
FWCI
2.71
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Pain and Symptom Management (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Portal (Queen's University Belfast) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Cancer-related cognitive impairment studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Geriatrics and Gerontology › Frailty in Older Adults
Keywords
cancer-related fatigue, fatigue prevalence, cancer patients, advanced cancer, cancer therapy, gynecologic cancer, gender differences, quality of life, symptom monitoring
MeSH terms
Fatigue, Female, Humans, Neoplasms, Quality of Life, Prevalence

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