The relationship between interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and fatigue in terminally ill cancer patients.

Abstract

Although many cancer patients receiving palliative care experience distressing levels of fatigue, no well-designed studies have investigated contributing factors in Korean patients. We conducted a cross-sectional study using the Brief Fatigue Inventory-K (BFI-K) to measure fatigue while assessing a variety of possible correlates. Ninety patients with incurable cancer in the terminal stage (median survival: 27 days) participated in a structured interview and questionnaire related to their medical conditions and underwent blood sampling for laboratory data and cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Body mass index, dyspnea, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, and levels of albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total bilirubin, and C-reactive protein were significantly associated with fatigue. However, levels of the two proinflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and TNF-α, were not significantly correlated with the BFI-K score. In stepwise multiple linear regression, fatigue was related to elevated BUN (β = 0.376, p = 0.002), severe pain intensity (β = 0.349, p = 0.004), and impaired performance status (β = 0.268, p = 0.027), but not related to levels of inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, the diagnostic work-up and therapeutic plan for patients with cancer-related fatigue should include an evaluation of laboratory parameters, pain severity, and physical performance.

• Authors: Sang Mi Kwak, Youn Seon Choi, Ho Min Yoon, Dae Gyun Kim, Seung Hun Song, Young Jae Lee, Chang Hwan Yeom, Su Jin Koh, Jeanno Park, Myung Ah Lee, Sang-Yeon Suh
• Journal: Palliative medicine (Palliat Med) Vol. 26 Issue 3 Pg. 275-82 (Apr 2012) ISSN: 1477-030X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21807751 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Interleukin-6
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Topics

• Aged
• Blood Urea Nitrogen
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Fatigue (blood, complications, physiopathology)
• Female
• Humans
• Interleukin-6 (blood)
• Interviews as Topic
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasms (blood, complications)
• Pain (complications)
• Palliative Care
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Terminally Ill
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (blood)