Expert review of pharmacoeconomics & outcomes research
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Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res · Oct 2011
ReviewA literature review of symptom clusters in patients with breast cancer.
The aim of this article is to present a review reporting empirically determined symptom clusters in breast cancer patients. We conducted a literature search on symptom clusters in breast cancer patients using PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL. Studies examining the presence of predetermined clusters were excluded. ⋯ Although there were common symptoms assessed across the five studies, no common symptom clusters could be derived from these reports. This lack of commonality may result from the disparities in subpopulations of patients, assessment tools, and analytical and methodological approaches. As symptom cluster research continues to develop towards a clearer consensus on guidelines, the findings of symptom clusters may provide clinically valuable information regarding diagnosis, prognostication, prioritizing and managing symptoms in breast cancer patients.