Evaluating Cachexia Assessment Scale (Cas) To Identify Cancer Cachexia In Dharmais National Cancer Hospital

Abstract

Cachexia is a common problem for cancer patient in end stage. It is devastating consequence of cancer and it is associated with several negative outcomes including poorer response to cancer treatment, increased treatment side effects lower quality of life and increased depression among patients and family. The early identification of patients at risk for cachexia particularly during early stages can be an important approach. Although literature stresses the need to asses cachexia, evidence prove that no tool adequately has been accepted as gold standard. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluating a simple tool for nurse which could identify patients with cancer cachexia throughout all stages of diseases. Design of this study was qualitative study. Cachexia Assessment Scale (CAS) from previous researcher was modified and translated into Indonesia language. Purposive sampling methods established in this study involved 9 nurses. Semi structured interviews were recorded digitally, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic and interpretative analysis. The current study showed detail information about evaluating cachexia assessment scale tool within five main themes, namely : 1) the language was understandable, 2) the checklist system was preferred, 3) the diagnostic result was easy to be accessed 4) the scoring method was unfamiliar 5) the follow up plan after the scoring need to be considered. Study results show that Cachexia Assessment scale ( CAS) is communicative tool, simple tool and easy tool for nurse. CAS can also discriminate the symptoms that cause cachexia from the side effects of treatment. But the scoring systems need to be informed among nurses.

Description

Keywords

Identificatio, cancer, Cachexia assessment scale

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