Symptom clusters in children.
Journal Article (Review;Journal Article)
Purpose of review
Researchers have focused on identifying and describing symptom experiences among children with various diseases but symptoms can have a synergistic and/or an antecedent effect that must be evaluated. This review reports the current knowledge of symptoms among various pediatric diseases and highlights symptom cluster research.Recent findings
Symptoms of depression and anxiety are the most prevalent variables studied across pediatric disease studies followed by pain, fatigue, and quality of life. Although previous pediatric symptom research provides a foundation for understanding the complexities of these symptoms, there is limited evidence on symptom cluster research in pediatrics. Pain and fatigue are the most common symptoms analyzed for correlations, and relationships among symptoms that have been evaluated in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, HIV, cancer, cardiac disease requiring an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, and at end of life. Pain and fatigue have been associated with sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, anorexia, and nausea/vomiting.Summary
Pediatric oncology researchers are leading the way with symptom cluster studies; however, this work remains in the early stages. There is great potential to advance the state of the science with cluster analysis. Future research work should focus on evaluating symptoms and their interactions.Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Rodgers, CC; Hooke, MC; Hockenberry, MJ
Published Date
- March 2013
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 7 / 1
Start / End Page
- 67 - 72
PubMed ID
- 23108342
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1751-4266
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 1751-4258
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1097/spc.0b013e32835ad551
Language
- eng