Echteld, M.A., Passchier, J., Teunissen, S., Claessen, S., Wit, R. de, Rijt, C.C.D. van der. Multidimensional fatigue and its correlates in hospitalised advanced cancer patients. European Journal of Cancer: 2007, 43(6), 1030-1036 This is a NIVEL certified Post Print, more info at http://www.nivel.eu Postprint Version 1.0 Journal website http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejca.2007.01.024 Pubmed link http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17336052 DOI 10.1016/j.ejca.2007.01.024 This is a NIVEL certified Post Print, more info at http://www.nivel.eu Multidimensional fatigue and its correlates in hospitalised advanced cancer patients MICHAEL A. ECHTELD A,B,C, *, JAN PASSCHIER C , SASKIA TEUNISSEN D , SUSANNE CLAESSEN B , RONALD DE WIT B , Carin C.D. van der Rijt B aVU University Medical Centre, Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands bErasmus MC-Daniel den Hoed Cancer Centre, Department of Medical Oncology, Rotterdam, The Netherlands cErasmus MC Department of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Rotterdam, The Netherlands dUniversity Medical Centre Utrecht, Department of Medical Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands A B S T R A C T Although fatigue is a multidimensional concept, multidimensional fatigue is rarely investigated in hospitalised cancer patients.We determined the levels and correlates of multidimensional fatigue in 100 advanced cancer patients admitted for symptom control. Fatigue dimensions were general fatigue (GF), physical fatigue (PF), reduced activity (RA), reduced motivation (RM) and mental fatigue (MF). Investigated correlates were tumour load, prior anti-tumour treatment, medication use, haemoglobin levels, serum biochemical variables, physical symptoms and mood. Median GF, PF and RA scores were very high; median RM and MF scores were moderate, and differed from the GF, PF and RA scores. Multiple regression analyses showed that symptoms and mood correlated with all fatigue dimensions. Each fatigue dimension had different relationships with other factors. Hospitalised advanced cancer patients differ in fatigue levels depending on the fatigue dimension, and each fatigue dimension has different correlates. The results confirm that fatigue should be regarded as a multidimensional concept. INTRODUCTION Levels of five fatigue dimensions and a prospective analysis of correlates of fatigue in hospitalised advanced cancer patients are presented. Clinical research on fatigue in advanced cancer patients is important, because fatigue is an essential determinant of quality of life, health status and symptom burden. 1–5 Fatigue is nominated by patients