Relationship between Age,Gender and Symptoms in Advanced Cancer Patients

ObjectiveTo investigate and analyze the effects of age and gender on symptom prevalence and intensity in advanced cancer patients. Methods Two hundred and fifty advanced cancer patients were surveyed by using the Chinese version of the M.D Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI-C).Logistic Regression Analysis was performed to determine the correlation between age and gender and individual symptoms.Symptoms intensity was compared between patients aged ≤60 and ＞60 years and between males and females using Bonferroni correction after being accepted T test. Results The most common symptoms were pain,fatigue,and lack of appetite,respectively.Younger patients reported worse pain,feeling of being distressed and feeling sad,less problem with remembering things and better appetite (P＜0.05); females reported worse nausea than males (P=0.01).A Logistic Regression Analysis showed younger age increases the risk of feeling sad,feeling of being distressed,vomiting,pain,lack of appetite,nausea,and disturbed sleep; males have high risk of feeling sad,feeling of being distressed,disturbed sleep and lack of appetite. Conclusion Advanced cancer patients have age and gender differences in symptom intensity and prevalence.Recognition of them should help understand symptom pathophysiology and promote palliative treatment tailored for individual.