Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2026 Jul 6;60:e20250511. doi: 10.1590/1980-220X-REEUSP-2025-0511en. eCollection 2026.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the correlation between the intensity of physical symptoms and overall comfort levels in hospitalized cancer patients receiving palliative care.
METHOD: This quantitative, descriptive, and analytical study was conducted with 155 patients admitted to palliative care units at a university hospital. The General Comfort Questionnaire (GCQ) and the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) were used. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, employing Pearson’s correlation (p ≤ 0.05).
RESULTS: The ESAS symptom assessment revealed a high symptomatic burden, with anxiety, loss of appetite, and depression standing out as the symptoms with the highest average intensity. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between the intensity of most symptoms and overall comfort, indicating that increased symptom burden was associated with reduced comfort.
CONCLUSION: The increased intensity of physical symptoms is associated with a significant reduction in overall comfort, reinforcing the importance of effective strategies for managing these symptoms in palliative nursing practice.
PMID:42407084 | DOI:10.1590/1980-220X-REEUSP-2025-0511en
