Fatigue in low-grade glioma

J Neurooncol. 2009 Mar;92(1):73-8. doi: 10.1007/s11060-008-9738-7. Epub 2008 Dec 9.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of fatigue in long-term survivors with a low-grade glioma (LGG), and to analyze the relationship between fatigue and demographic variables, disease duration, tumor characteristics, former tumor treatment modalities, antiepileptic drug (AED) use, self-reported concentration, motivation, and activity. Fifty-four patients with stable disease (age range, 25-73 years) who were diagnosed and treated more than 8 years ago were included in this study. Fatigue was analyzed with the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS). Thirty-nine percent of the LGG patients were severely fatigued, with older patients being most affected. Severe fatigue was associated with AED use, and with reduced self-reported concentration, motivation, and activity. No relation was found between fatigue and gender, histology, tumor laterality, disease duration, type of neurosurgical intervention and radiation treatment. Fatigue is a severe problem in a large proportion of long-term surviving LGG patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anticonvulsants / adverse effects
  • Brain Neoplasms / complications*
  • Brain Neoplasms / psychology
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy
  • Fatigue / epidemiology*
  • Fatigue / etiology*
  • Fatigue / psychology
  • Female
  • Glioma / complications*
  • Glioma / psychology
  • Glioma / therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Survivors / statistics & numerical data*

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants