Symptom clusters and related factors in oesophageal cancer patients 3 months after surgery

AIM: To explore symptom clusters experienced by patients with oesophageal cancer 3 months after surgery and examine whether symptom clusters are related to demographic, clinical and quality of life variables. BACKGROUND: There are multiple symptoms in patients with oesophageal cancer after surgery, which seriously affect their quality of life. Exploring the mechanics of concurrent symptoms such as symptom clusters may facilitate the development of strategies to reduce the impact of these symptoms and improve quality of life. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. The STROBE Statement was chosen as the EQUATOR checklist. METHODS: A convenience sample of 128 oesophageal cancer patients was followed up at 3 months after surgery. Participants completed the demographic questionnaire, the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory for Gastrointestinal Cancer, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Exploratory factor analysis, stepwise regression and correlation analysis were applied. RESULTS: Four symptom clusters were identified: dysphagia-psychological, chemoradiotherapy side-effect, digestive tract reconstruction and fatigue-sleep. Gender, stage of disease and resilience influenced the dysphagia-psychological symptom cluster. Gender, stage of disease, resilience and treatment were significant factors affecting the chemoradiotherapy side-effect and fatigue-sleep symptom clusters. Gender, stage of disease, resilience and anastomotic position were significant factors influencing the digestive tract reconstruction symptom cluster. The correlations between symptom clusters and quality of life were significant, with the highest correlation between the dysphagia-psychological cluster and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses should pay more attention to symptom management in patients with oesophageal cancer 3 months after surgery by focusing on four symptom clusters. It is necessary to implement individualised care depending on the influence factors including gender, stage of disease, resilience, treatment and anastomotic position. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: These findings will help develop targeted interventions to facilitate further symptom management for transitional nursing from the peri-operative phase to long-term rehabilitation.