Treatment of nausea and emesis during cancer chemotherapy:: Discrepancies between antiemetic effect and well-being

The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between antiemetic effect and wellbeing in patients receiving four different antiemetic treatment strategies, representing developments in the field during the past 15 years. A total of 162 women with ovarian cancer receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy and participating in two comparative antiemetic trials were enrolled and studied for up to four cycles. In study I, a combined antiemetic strategy including a nursing intervention program (increased access to support and increased information) and antiemetics based on high-dose metoclopramide and dexamethasone was compared with the standard antiemetic treatment during the 1980s. In study II, ondansetron plus dexamethasone/placebo was evaluated. The assessment methods used were similar for all patients. Questionnaires were used to assess frequency, intensity, and duration of nausea, emesis, anxiety, pain, and well-being at baseline, and for acute (24 hours after chemotherapy) and delayed (up to 2 weeks after chemotherapy) symptoms. The mean intensity of acute nausea during the first cycle was higher in the groups in study I, as compared to the groups in study II. The group receiving a nursing intervention reported better well-being than the other groups. Duration of nausea was an important predictor of well-being, even when nausea intensity was controlled. Apart from nausea intensity, nausea duration and nursing interventions may be important determinants for well-being during chemotherapy.