Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common psychosomatic problem in breast cancer patients. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used to address symptoms in patients with CRF. Identification of the specific constitution in TCM is essential for personalized care.Aim
To explore the relationship between fatigue and specific constitutions in breast cancer.Experimental procedure
We conducted a cross-sectional study in all breast cancer patients at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan. The severity of fatigue was determined using the Brief Fatigue Inventory-Taiwanese (BFI-T) form. TCM patterns were determined using the Body Constitution Questionnaire (BCQ). The relationship between constitution and fatigue was analyzed using logistic regression.Results
We recruited 110 breast cancer patients with fatigue (mean age: 55 ± 11 years). The mean duration of breast cancer was 17.4 months. The major constitution among these patients with fatigue was Yang-Qi deficiency (50%). Phlegm-Stasis syndrome was correlated with a duration of breast cancer of more than 18 months (p = 0.02). Out of all participants, 42.7% (n = 47) reported clinically significant fatigue (BFI-T score ?4). According to logistic regression, the score of Yang-Qi deficiency [odds ratio (OR): 3.5, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.49-8.21, p < 0.01] was also associated with clinically significant fatigue.Conclusion
Yang-Qi deficiency is associated with clinically significant fatigue in breast cancer patients. However, the association of Phlegm-Stasis syndrome and fatigue as disease duration increases cannot be ignored. Further studies are needed to determine whether treating both constitutions integrating TCM treatment can alleviate patients' fatigue symptoms.
SUBMITTER: Deng SM
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7817705 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Journal of traditional and complementary medicine 20200831 1
<h4>Background</h4>Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common psychosomatic problem in breast cancer patients. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used to address symptoms in patients with CRF. Identification of the specific constitution in TCM is essential for personalized care.<h4>Aim</h4>To explore the relationship between fatigue and specific constitutions in breast cancer.<h4>Experimental procedure</h4>We conducted a cross-sectional study in all breast cancer patients at Kaohsiung Cha ...[more]