Symptom severity and interference assessment in geriatric survivors of urinary bladder cancer

Background/Purpose: Bladder cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies of the lower genitourinary tract; nevertheless, research focused on symptoms of geriatric survivors of bladder cancer is limited. The purpose of this study was to explore associated factors with symptom severity and interference as well as its changes in different time among elderly bladder cancer survivors. Methods: Participants were recruited to the present longitudinal study from the outpatient department of a community hospital in northern Taiwan between February and August 2016. A demographic questionnaire and the Taiwanese version of the Anderson Symptom Inventory were used to collect data at three time points. Results: A total of 54 bladder cancer survivors were enrolled in the present study. Disturbed sleep was the most severe symptom. Symptom interference with daily life appeared to be emotional. Furthermore, the age, household income, primary caregiver, and urinary bladder cancer stage of the survivors were significantly associated with symptom severity; while, gender, age, and tumor stage were also found to be significantly associated with symptom interference with daily life. Conclusions: Various factors associated symptom severity and interference with daily life in this specific population were reported. In addition, symptom severity and interference with daily life in aging survivors with bladder cancer is unstable. This finding may imply that clinicians should assess the symptoms of such survivors continuously, in order to helpreduce symptom severity and interference with daily life.