Exploratory factor analysis of differential symptom experiences in core symptom clusters during chemotherapy in breast cancer patients
CHEN Siyu
ZHANG Xi
PAN Lu
TIE Wanqin
XU Yang
CHEN Xuefeng
WANG Yongqi
NIU Meng
Abstract：Objective:To explore the core symptom clusters of breast cancer patients during chemotherapy,aiming to provide evidence for medical staff to implement targeted symptom management.Methods:A total of 197 breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in a tertiary grade A hospital in Ningxia from October to December 2023 were selected by the convenience sampling method.Symptom assessment was conducted using the Chinese version of the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale.Exploratory factor analysis was employed to identify symptom clusters and extract core symptom clusters.Results:Breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy experienced an average of(13.49±5.11)symptoms.Among them,fatigue,sleep disturbances,not feeling like oneself,alopecia,dry mouth had a higher incidence.Through factor analysis,eight symptom clusters were identified.Among them,the appetite symptom cluster exhibited the highest stability and contribution in the three dimensions of total symptom score,severity,and distress,and was identified as the core symptom clusters.Conclusions:The appetite symptom clusters is the core symptom clusters of breast cancer patients during chemotherapy,which has a significant impact on the quality of life and treatment effect of patients.Clinical practice should focus on the management of the appetite symptom clusters,so as to improve patients'chemotherapy experience and treatment outcomes.
Keywords：breast cancerchemotherapysymptom clusterscore symptom clusterssymptom experienceexploratory factor analysis
Publication Date：2025-05-15
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 1591-1596 )