Article

Exploring Symptom Clusters and Their Measurements in Patients With Lung Cancer: A Scoping Review for Practice and Research

Katarina Karlsson

Cecilia Olsson

Ann Erlandsson

Karin M. Ahlberg

Maria Larsson

lung cancer, symptom cluster, symptom dimensions, patient-reported outcome instruments
ONF 2023, 50(6), 783-815. DOI: 10.1188/23.ONF.783-815

Problem Identification: This scoping review aimed to explore symptom clusters (SCs) in patients with lung cancer and how included symptoms and symptom dimensions are measured.

Literature Search: PubMed®, CINAHL®, Scopus®, and Cochrane Library were searched for studies published until December 31, 2021. Fifty-three articles were included.

Data Evaluation: Data extracted included descriptive items and SC constellations. Patient-reported outcome instruments and measured symptom dimensions were described according to the middle-range theory of unpleasant symptoms.

Synthesis: 13 articles investigated SCs a priori and 40 de novo. Thirty-six instruments were used, mostly measuring intensity alone or in combination with timing. Qualitative articles (n = 6) provided rich descriptions within the distress, timing, and quality dimensions.

Implications for Research: Fatigue was the symptom found to most frequently co-occur with other symptoms in SCs. Fatigue, psychological symptoms, and nutritional aspects are emphasized as important areas for oncology nursing practice and further research to improve SC management for patients with lung cancer.

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