Analysis of core symptoms and symptom networks in lung cancer patients during chemotherapy

Hou Jinjin; Zhou Feng; Gao Ya

doi:10.16689/j.cnki.cn11-9349/r.2026.03.012

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Electronic Journal of Metabolism and Nutrition of Cancer ›› 2026, Vol. 13 ›› Issue (3) : 407-414. DOI: 10.16689/j.cnki.cn11-9349/r.2026.03.012

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Analysis of core symptoms and symptom networks in lung cancer patients during chemotherapy

Hou Jinjin, Zhou Feng, Gao Ya

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Abstract

Objective To establish a symptom network for lung cancer patients during chemotherapy, providing a theoretical basis for formulating symptom management plans in the later stage. Method A total of 205 lung cancer patients admitted to our hospital from January 2023 to February 2025 were selected as the subjects of this study using the convenience sampling method. General information questionnaires and the Chinese version of the Anderson symptom scale were used to conduct questionnaire surveys on them. Data analysis was carried out through exploratory factor analysis and network analysis. Result A total of 194 valid questionnaires were retrieved in this study, with an effective rate of 94.63%. The incidence of symptoms during chemotherapy in lung cancer patients ranges from 11.34% to 80.41%. The top three symptoms with the highest incidence rates are cough (80.41%), nausea (79.38%), and distress (76.80%). In terms of severity, the top three were fatigue (3.88±1.56), sadness (3.31±1.63), and cough (3.27±1.58) in sequence. Results of symptom network analysis indicated that the top three pairs with the strongest correlation among symptoms were sadness and fatigue (r = 0.76), dyspnea and chest tightness (r = 0.72), as well as pain and numbness (r = 0.71). Centrality analysis indicated that sadness (r_s = 7.43), nausea (r_s = 6.73), and cough (r_s = 6.65) exhibited the highest strength centrality values. Furthermore, betweenness centrality analysis identified sadness as a core bridging symptom (r_s = 5.69), suggesting its critical role in connecting distinct symptom clusters. Conclusion Patients with lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy have a significant symptom burden. Sadness, cough, and nausea have a strong effect on the multi-dimensional symptom network and need to be regarded as core intervention targets. Intervention measures for grief can effectively reduce the severity of the entire symptom network, while early intervention for coughing and nausea can alleviate the burden of symptom management for patients.

Key words

Lung cancer / During chemotherapy / Symptoms / Symptom cluster / Bridge symptom / Symptom network

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Hou Jinjin, Zhou Feng, Gao Ya. Analysis of core symptoms and symptom networks in lung cancer patients during chemotherapy[J]. Electronic Journal of Metabolism and Nutrition of Cancer. 2026, 13(3): 407-414 https://doi.org/10.16689/j.cnki.cn11-9349/r.2026.03.012

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