Prevalence of anticipatory nausea and vomiting in children undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy for malignant disease - the SiCK2 (Sickness prior to Chemotherapy in Kids) study

Abstract

Introduction Anticipatory nausea and vomiting (ANV) is thought to be a conditioned response to nausea and vomiting experienced in previous chemotherapy cycles, and has a significant negative impact on quality of life for children having treatment for cancer. The prevalence of this aversive experience with current antiemetics remains uncertain. Methods Self-report questionnaires completed by patients and parents across seven sites in the UK. Nausea and vomiting symptoms 24 hours prior to commencing chemotherapy were assessed with the Pediatric Nausea Assessment Tool (PeNAT). Data were also collected on the patients' age, sex, oncological diagnosis, and previous experience of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. Correlation between demographic data, chemotherapy information and prior reported experience of chemotherapy related nausea and vomiting was undertaken using multiple ordinal regression. Results 191 episodes of anticipatory nausea and vomiting status were returned. 34% of patients described severe or very severe anticipatory nausea and/or vomiting. The severity of anticipatory nausea and vomiting was predicted two factors related to prior chemotherapy: control of anticipatory (OR 0.23 95%CI 0.09 to 0.53) and acute/delayed (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.83) nausea and vomiting, and one current factor, the administration of antiemetic medication prior to arrival at the hospital (OR 3.0, 95%CI 1.3 to 6.8). Conclusions This study re-enforces, disappointingly, the continued high prevalence of anticipatory nausea and vomiting in children about to receive chemotherapy. There is clearly a need to improve interventions for this rarely discussed aversive experience of childhood cancer. Its high prevalence suggests trials of interventions should be possible to power effectively, and develop interventions that are both acceptable and deliverable.