Symptom distress—The concept: Past and present

Rhodes, Verna A.; Watson, Phyllis M.

doi:10.1016/s0749-2081(87)80014-1

Cited by 163 publications

(147 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Why women experience more distress relating to fatigue is not clear. The meanings ascribed to symptoms are relative to one's life situation and symptom distress increases when the symptoms entail alteration (restrain or produce) of actions in response to the experiences (Rhodes & Watson, 1987). Perhaps the burden of symptoms and lack of strength affl icts women more than men because of their endless work in the domestic domain, affl icting the traditional female role identity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The meaning of the word has changed over the past 200 years. Consistent with medieval thinking, the word was used as a "sign" of something evil that had befallen one (Rhodes & Watson, 1987) and illness experience was considered as an integrated part of nature, the human world and cosmos, with no distinction between body and mind (Johannisson, 2005). In 1869, Fenwick proclaimed that "diseases are distinguished from each other either by such alterations in the organs themselves or their secretions, as can be ascertain by the senses of the observer (signs); or by changes in the function of the parts affected (symptom)".…”

Section: Symptommentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Symptom distress can be defi ned as the degree of discomfort, physical and mental upset, anguish or suffering experienced from a specifi c symptom or from a cluster of symptoms (Rhodes & Watson, 1987;McCorke et al,1998). Frequency or intensity is not necessarily equivalent to distress.…”

Section: Symptommentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fatigue is a Prevalent and Severe Symptom Associated with Uncertainty and Sense of Coherence in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Falk

Swedberg

Gaston‐Johansson

et al. 2007

European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing

100

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Although fatigue is a prevalent and distressing symptom in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), it is an underestimated problem in the care of patients, and consequently, insuffi ciently investigated. The primary aim of this thesis was, therefore, to advance the knowledge from the patients' perspective by describing characteristics of the fatigue experience and its consequences in daily life in patients with CHF. A secondary aim was to investigate the relationships between fatigue and selected physiological and psychological factors associated with fatigue. Both quantitative and qualitative methods have been used and three samples of patients have been interviewed on different occasions. In two of the quantitative studies 93 patients, and in another study 112 patients, consecutively included, were interviewed at the hospital. Fifteen patients were included in the qualitative study. These 15 participants were enrolled when they visited an outpatient clinic and most of them were interviewed in their homes. These interviews were supplemented with the content of an Internet discussion with persons living with CHF.The results of the studies indicated that fatigue embraces the individual's body, emotions and cognitive abilities, forcing the person to physical restrictions that, in turn, perpetuate emotional discomfort. However, the physical sensation of fatigue followed by functional limitations seemed to be the most prevalent and distressing experience in patients with CHF. The patients described fatigue as lacking strength, which was associated in connection with physical efforts and lacking energy, viewed as an annoying sensation after both mental and physical strain. Another dimension of fatigue was described as being sleepy, often with a rapid and unforeseen onset. Consequences of fatigue, such as refraining from daily chores, denying oneself opportunities for rejoice and social isolation, further exaggerated the experience of fatigue. Restorative activities that engaged, absorbed or distracted the patients counteracted these negative consequences. Depressed mood was related to those fatigue dimensions that compromised functional ability and motivation to start any activities, whereas anxiety was associated with cognitive impairment. Feelings of uncertainty were related to physical tiredness, possibly infl icted by limitations in performing activities. Symptom distress that was caused by a number of reported symptoms other than fatigue had a diminutive infl uence on fatigue and separate symptoms that were associated with fatigue were, with the exception of breathlessness, not the fi rst and most pressing symptom reported by the patients. Anemic patients reported more fatigue compared with non-anemic patients and functional status, according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classifi cation criteria, was associated with those fatigue dimensions that encompassed physical tiredness and reduced functioning.The fi ndings provide new insights on the characteristics of fatigue and its con...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Symptommentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Fatigue is a Prevalent and Severe Symptom Associated with Uncertainty and Sense of Coherence in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Falk

Swedberg

Gaston‐Johansson

et al. 2007

European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing

100

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…While both cancer specialists and patients may accept such problems as an inevitable part of the disease and treatment (Dodd, 1982;Rhodes and Watson, 1987), they can have a substantial impact on patients' compliance and outcomes: it has been estimated that up to one third of patients will abandon chemotherapy prematurely as a result of these symptoms, despite the potentially life-threatening consequences of such an action (Shapiro, 1987). Therefore, it is important for cancer specialists to be aware of the prevalence of such problems among their patients and of which patients are most likely to experience them.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The physical and psycho-social experiences of patients attending an outpatient medical oncology department: a cross-sectional study

Newell

Sanson‐Fisher

Girgis

et al. 1999

European Journal of Cancer Care

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The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and predictors of physical symptoms, anxiety, depression and perceived needs among patients receiving treatment at an outpatient medical oncology department using a cross‐sectional survey. It was carried out at the outpatient clinic of an academic medical oncology department, which sees around 150–180 outpatients each week; 201 patients were selected. These patients answered questions to assess their levels of anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), perceived needs (Cancer Needs Questionnaire)and the frequency and severity of 15 physical symptoms. Fatigue, nausea, appetite loss and vomiting were the most commonly experienced and most debilitating physical symptoms. Approximately 25% of participants had borderline or clinical levels of anxiety and depression. Although relatively low levels of perceived needs were reported, physical and psychological needs were the most common. Levels of each outcome measure tended to be predictive of each other. Medical oncology outpatients experience a wide range of physical and psycho‐social problems which appear, to some extent, interrelated.

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“…In line with the conceptual framework on symptom experience of Leventhal and colleagues, the questionnaire should be able to capture both the presence as well as the severity of complaints [15,16].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and validation of a polycystic liver disease complaint-specific assessment (POLCA)

Temmerman

Dobbels

et al. 2014

Journal of Hepatology

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Symptom distress—The concept: Past and present

Cited by 163 publications

References 27 publications

Fatigue is a Prevalent and Severe Symptom Associated with Uncertainty and Sense of Coherence in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Fatigue is a Prevalent and Severe Symptom Associated with Uncertainty and Sense of Coherence in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

The physical and psycho-social experiences of patients attending an outpatient medical oncology department: a cross-sectional study

Development and validation of a polycystic liver disease complaint-specific assessment (POLCA)

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