Perspective of Lebanese oncologists on the symptom burden among adult cancer patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Proper approach to symptom control in cancer patients requires a good understanding of the prevalence of the various symptoms these patients have. AIM: This study aims at assessing the Lebanese oncologists' point of view concerning the symptom burden among cancer patients of Lebanon and comparing their opinions to the real complaints of patients themselves. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a representative sample of the Lebanese medical oncologists. Thirty-six physicians filled out a questionnaire regarding their demographics as well as the symptom profile of their patients. Those results were compared to the ones obtained from our previous study about symptom profile as reported by patients. RESULTS: Fatigue was the symptom most our patients suffered from according to their physicians (64.167%). Also, a good percentage of physicians agreed that patients suffer from appetite loss, pain, weight loss, and nausea. When compared to the patients' reports of their own symptoms, a statistically significant difference existed between the two profiles for the majority of symptoms (14 out of 19). Also, for the majority of symptoms, physicians were found to underestimate the percentage of patients suffering from each symptom. CONCLUSION: This study shows that there is a statistically significant difference between the physicians' and the patients' perspectives on most of the common distressing symptoms. This entails more detailed questioning of the cancer patients about their distressing symptoms.