The incidence of nausea and vomiting in cancer patients in Greek clinical practice: A longitudinal study

Maria Lavdaniti; Nikoletta Margari; Aikaterini Chavela; Michalis Mantzanas; Ioanna Chatzi; Evangelos C Fradelos; Ioannis Tilaveridis; George Tzavelas

doi:10.5114/wo.2020.95853

The incidence of nausea and vomiting in cancer patients in Greek clinical practice: A longitudinal study

Contemp Oncol (Pozn). 2020;24(2):112-117. doi: 10.5114/wo.2020.95853. Epub 2020 Jun 8.

Authors

Maria Lavdaniti¹, Nikoletta Margari², Aikaterini Chavela³, Michalis Mantzanas⁴, Ioanna Chatzi⁵, Evangelos C Fradelos⁶, Ioannis Tilaveridis⁷, George Tzavelas³

Affiliations

¹ Nursing Department, International Hellenic University, Thessaloniki, Greece.
² Nursing Department, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece.
³ Department of Statistics and Insurance Science, University of Piraeus, Piraeus, Greece.
⁴ Director of Nursing, General Hospital of Nea Ionia "Konstantopouleio-Patision", Athens, Greece.
⁵ Medical Department General Hospital of Nea Ionia "Konstantopouleio-Patision", Athens, Greece.
⁶ Psychiatric Department, "Sotiria" Athens General Hospital for Chest Diseases, Athens, Greece.
⁷ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Abstract

Aim of the study: To assess nausea and vomiting in cancer patients during two cycles of chemotherapy, and the impact on their quality of life.

Material and methods: A longitudinal study was conducted in an oncology department of a large general public hospital in Northern Greece. The sample consisted of 200 cancer patients. Data were collected with the MASCC-Antiemesis Tool and FACT-G questionnaire and specific demographic and clinical characteristics.

Results: In cycle 2, acute vomiting was experienced by 16% of the patients and delayed vomiting by 14%; acute nausea was experienced by 27.5% and delayed nausea by 38%. In cycle 3, acute and delayed vomiting were experienced by 17.5% and 15% of the patients, respectively, acute nausea by 29.5%, and delayed nausea by 36.5%. The comparison of severity in acute vomiting between cycle 2 and cycle 3 yielded a statistically significant (p = 0.003) difference; similar results were obtained in the comparison of severity of acute nausea (p < 0.001). The correlation of severity of acute nausea with physical, emotional, and functional well-being as well as the total score of quality of life in two measurement points was statistically significant (p < 0.005). Multiple forward linear regression analysis showed that the total score of quality of life was significantly associated with age, gender, educational status, occupational status, type of cancer, family status, and diet.

Conclusions: Our study confirms that nausea and vomiting are significant clinical problems that influence quality of life. Further research is needed to evaluate the predictors of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy.

Keywords: Northern Greece; chemotherapy; nausea; quality of life; vomiting.