The Relationship of Anemia with Severity of Fatigue and Quality of Life in Cancer Patient Undergoing Chemotherapy

Introduction & Anemia is common among patients with cancer, particularly among patients undergoing chemotherapy. Anemia leads to reduce survival following chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of anemia with severity of fatigue and quality of life in Cancer Patient Undergoing chemotherapy. This is descriptive –correlative study that utilized a purposeful sampling one hundred twenty one out patients with cancer participated in this study. Data collected by interview, the instruments used included: the sample selection and demographic data form, Fatigue Severity Scale, and Quality of life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Hemoglobin level was reviewed from medical records. Grading of anemia based on hemoglobin level according to the National Cancer Institute classification. The findings indicated that prevalence of anemia in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy was (63.6%).There were significant differences between mean score of severity of fatigue (p<0.001) and quality of life (p=0.003)in relation to hemoglobin level. Negative significant correlation between hemoglobin level and all dimensions of quality of life and severity of fatigue. The severity of anemia is closely related to severity of fatigue and quality of life. During chemotherapy, decrease hemoglobin levels was associated with meaningful increase in fatigue and reduce dimensions of physical, role function, cognitional, social and overall quality of life.