Cancer-related fatigue: Prevalence of proposed diagnostic criteria in a United States sample of cancer survivors

Purpose: To evaluate the proposed cancer-related fatigue (CRF) diagnostic c riteria in a sample of cancer survivors, More accurate prevalence estimates of CRF may result in improved diagnosis and management of one of the most common symptoms associated with cancer and its treatment. Methods: Three hundred seventy-nine individuals who had been treated with c hemotherapy, either alone or in combination with radiation therapy, were su rveyed. Patients were asked background questions about their current condit ion, their medical history, and the frequency of fatigue during their chemo therapy, Additionally, patients who reported experiencing fatigue at least a few days each month during treatment were asked a series of questions abo ut the impact of fatigue on their daily functioning. Results: One hundred forty-one (37%) individuals reported at least 2 weeks of fatigue in the previous month, Of the respondents who had received their last treatment more than 5 years ago, 33% still reported at least a 2-week period of fatigue in the month before the interview. Evaluation of the pro posed criteria revealed that 17% of respondents met at least two criteria f or CRF. Conclusion: The prevalence of diagnosable CRF in the individuals in this sa mple, most of whom had completed treatment more than 1 year ago, was 17%-lo wer than expected based on previous reports that have used less-strict crit eria. In a sizable number of people, CRF persists well beyond active treatm ent and should be a focus of intervention, Although they will require repli cation in other samples and clinical validation, these formal diagnostic cr iteria can be a step toward common language and a better understanding of t he severity range and persistence of CRF, (C) 2001 by American Society of C linical Oncology.