Evaluation of a psychoneurological symptom cluster in patients with breast or digestive cancer: a longitudinal observational study

Abstract Background A psychoneurological symptom cluster composed of cancer-related fatigue, emotional distress, sleep difficulties, and pain is very common among patients with cancer. Cognitive difficulties are also frequently associated with this cluster. Network analyses allow for an in-depth und...

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Main Authors: Charlotte Grégoire, Louise Baussard, Marie Ernst, Anh Diep, Marie-Elisabeth Faymonville, Martine Devos, Guy Jerusalem, Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-01-01
Series:BMC Cancer
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-023-11799-x
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author Charlotte Grégoire
Louise Baussard
Marie Ernst
Anh Diep
Marie-Elisabeth Faymonville
Martine Devos
Guy Jerusalem
Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse
author_facet Charlotte Grégoire
Louise Baussard
Marie Ernst
Anh Diep
Marie-Elisabeth Faymonville
Martine Devos
Guy Jerusalem
Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse
author_sort Charlotte Grégoire
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background A psychoneurological symptom cluster composed of cancer-related fatigue, emotional distress, sleep difficulties, and pain is very common among patients with cancer. Cognitive difficulties are also frequently associated with this cluster. Network analyses allow for an in-depth understanding of the relationships between symptoms in a cluster. This paper details the study protocol of a longitudinal assessment of the psychoneurological symptom cluster in two distinct cohorts: breast cancer and digestive cancer survivors, using network analyses. Methods Over two years, the symptoms involved in the psychoneurological symptom cluster, along with other common symptoms (e.g., digestive symptoms, financial difficulties) and variables (i.e., self-compassion, coping strategies) will be assessed in two cohorts: breast cancer survivors (N = 240) and digestive cancer survivors (N = 240). Online questionnaires will be completed at baseline, then 6, 12 and 24 months later. Network analyses will be used to assess the configuration of the symptom cluster at each measurement time and in each cohort. Comparison of networks between two measurement times or between the two cohorts will also be done with network comparison tests. Discussion This study will enable a better understanding of the relationships between common symptoms endured by patients with cancer. The results will be employed to develop more cost-effective interventions which, ultimately, will significantly improve the quality of life of patients with breast or digestive cancer. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05867966). Registered on the 27th of April 2023. url: https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05867966 .
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spelling doaj.art-33aa485a94b84c3db4cbd1e439614b212024-01-14T12:26:31ZengBMCBMC Cancer1471-24072024-01-012411710.1186/s12885-023-11799-xEvaluation of a psychoneurological symptom cluster in patients with breast or digestive cancer: a longitudinal observational studyCharlotte Grégoire0Louise Baussard1Marie Ernst2Anh Diep3Marie-Elisabeth Faymonville4Martine Devos5Guy Jerusalem6Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse7Sensation and Perception Research Group, GIGA Consciousness, University of LiègeAPSY-V Laboratory, University of NîmesBiostatistics and Research Method Center, University Hospital and University of LiègeBiostatistics and Research Method Center, University Hospital and University of LiègeSensation and Perception Research Group, GIGA Consciousness, University of LiègeArsène Burny Cancerology Institute, University Hospital of LiègeMedical Oncology Department, University Hospital and University of LiègeSensation and Perception Research Group, GIGA Consciousness, University of LiègeAbstract Background A psychoneurological symptom cluster composed of cancer-related fatigue, emotional distress, sleep difficulties, and pain is very common among patients with cancer. Cognitive difficulties are also frequently associated with this cluster. Network analyses allow for an in-depth understanding of the relationships between symptoms in a cluster. This paper details the study protocol of a longitudinal assessment of the psychoneurological symptom cluster in two distinct cohorts: breast cancer and digestive cancer survivors, using network analyses. Methods Over two years, the symptoms involved in the psychoneurological symptom cluster, along with other common symptoms (e.g., digestive symptoms, financial difficulties) and variables (i.e., self-compassion, coping strategies) will be assessed in two cohorts: breast cancer survivors (N = 240) and digestive cancer survivors (N = 240). Online questionnaires will be completed at baseline, then 6, 12 and 24 months later. Network analyses will be used to assess the configuration of the symptom cluster at each measurement time and in each cohort. Comparison of networks between two measurement times or between the two cohorts will also be done with network comparison tests. Discussion This study will enable a better understanding of the relationships between common symptoms endured by patients with cancer. The results will be employed to develop more cost-effective interventions which, ultimately, will significantly improve the quality of life of patients with breast or digestive cancer. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05867966). Registered on the 27th of April 2023. url: https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05867966 .https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-023-11799-xOncologySymptom clusterNetwork analysisQuality of lifeCancer-related fatigue
spellingShingle Charlotte Grégoire
Louise Baussard
Marie Ernst
Anh Diep
Marie-Elisabeth Faymonville
Martine Devos
Guy Jerusalem
Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse
Evaluation of a psychoneurological symptom cluster in patients with breast or digestive cancer: a longitudinal observational study
BMC Cancer
Oncology
Symptom cluster
Network analysis
Quality of life
Cancer-related fatigue
title Evaluation of a psychoneurological symptom cluster in patients with breast or digestive cancer: a longitudinal observational study
title_full Evaluation of a psychoneurological symptom cluster in patients with breast or digestive cancer: a longitudinal observational study
title_fullStr Evaluation of a psychoneurological symptom cluster in patients with breast or digestive cancer: a longitudinal observational study
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of a psychoneurological symptom cluster in patients with breast or digestive cancer: a longitudinal observational study
title_short Evaluation of a psychoneurological symptom cluster in patients with breast or digestive cancer: a longitudinal observational study
title_sort evaluation of a psychoneurological symptom cluster in patients with breast or digestive cancer a longitudinal observational study
topic Oncology
Symptom cluster
Network analysis
Quality of life
Cancer-related fatigue
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-023-11799-x
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