Table 2.
Comparison of two meta-analyses on the prevalence of cancer related fatigue.
| Study | Ma et al. [25] | Al Maqbali et al. [12] |
|---|---|---|
| Inclusion/exclusion criteria | Observational studies (>50 participants) on patients with cancer. Included studies reported diagnostic criteria for CRF and prevalence of CRF or risk factors of CRF. |
Cross sectional or baseline data from cohort studies (>50 participants), patients with cancer aged >15. Fatigue measured on multi-item scales. |
| Number of screened/ included articles |
2641/84 | 10,516/129 |
| Number of subjects | 144,813 (31% male) | 71,568 (51% male) |
| Cancer related fatigue (%) | 52 (95% CI 48–56) | 49 (95% CI 45–53) |
| Subgroup analysis |
Risk factors for fatigue
(OR, 95% CI) |
Frequency
(%) |
| Strongest association | Poor performance status (6.58, 2.60–16.67) | Ongoing treatment (62) |
| Insomnia (2.83, 1.22–6.57) | Advanced stage (61) | |
| Pain (2.64, 1.20–5.80) | Mixed cancers in study (57) | |
| Chemoradiotherapy (2.25, 1.90–2.67) |
||
| Depression (2.23, 1.70–2.92) | ||
| Female sex (2.07, 1.51–2.84) | ||
| Weakest association | Neuroticism (1.23, 1.05–1.43) | |
| No statistical significance: Low income, comorbidities, anxiety, physical exercise | ||
| Separate analysis of patients in palliative phase |
No | No |
Abbreviations. CRF: cancer related fatigue, CI: confidence interval, OR: odds ratio.