Published in PLOS One on 2026-04-24, this study is presented as an attributed evidence briefing. The excerpts below are the original researchers’ words, reproduced under their Creative Commons Attribution licence. Health Signal has selected the abstract and, where needed, opening background paragraphs; the complete methods, results, limitations and references remain in the linked paper.
Original authors: Henok Legesse, Yalew Mossie, Lidia Tolessa, Deribe Bekele Dechasa, Lencho Ahmedin, Seblewengel Fita, Aminu Mohammed Yasin, Seid Tesi, Ahmed Hiko, Sisay Habte, Addisu Alemu, Ahmed Mohammed, Michael Shawel, Tamirat Getachew
Source: PLOS One • DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0347297
Read the complete primary study ↗ · Creative Commons Attribution licence
From the researchers
Abstract
Fatigue is a frequent and distressing symptom experienced by patients with cancer. It may result from the disease process and/or its aggressive treatment, which substantially impact the quality of life of cancer patients. Furthermore, there is a paucity of evidence in the Eastern part of Ethiopia. Hence this study aimed to assess the prevalence of cancer related fatigue and its associated factors among adult cancer patients, Eastern Ethiopia.
Hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st May to 30th August, 2023 among 422 systematically selected cancer patients. Data were collected using structured, interviewer administered questionnaire. The outcome variable was evaluated using the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI). Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between the explanatory variables and the outcome variable. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) at a P value less 0.05 was used to declare statistically significant association.
Out of 422, 382 individuals with various cancer types participated in the study with a response rate of 90.5%. The prevalence of cancer related fatigue was found to be 71.2% (95%CI: 65.7–75.5). Rural residence (AOR = 2.84, 95%CI: 1.25–6.43), female sex (AOR = 3.25, 95%CI: 1.49–7.0), private occupational status (AOR = 6.44, 95%CI: 2.42–17.12), never used coffee (AOR = 7.02, 95%CI: 2.37–20.75), inpatient admission (AOR = 4.68,95%CI: 2.21–9.88) and advanced (AOR = 6.21, 95%CI: 2.61–14.78) & unclassified cancer stages (AOR = 4.84, 95%CI: 1.42–16.57) were significantly associated with cancer related fatigue.
Nearly three out of four cancer patients in Eastern Ethiopia experienced cancer related fatigue. The findings highlight the need for a supportive care service including psychosocial counseling and targeted intervention for high risk groups such as female, rural residents, inpatients, private workers and advanced cancer patients. Further research is warranted to explore the protective role of coffee consumption.
Background
Fatigue is a frequent and distressing symptom experienced by patients with cancer. It is defined as a complex, subjective complaint characterized by persistent tiredness, lack of energy and weakness [1–3]. While fatigue, tiredness and exhaustion are often used interchangeably, a more comprehensive and widely accepted definition on Cancer Related Fatigue (CRF) is provided by the National Cancer Center Network (NCCN) as “a distressing, persistent, subjective sense of physical, emotional, and/or cognitive tiredness or exhaustion related to cancer or cancer treatment that is not proportional to recent activity and interferes with usual functioning” [4].Unlike fatigue or tiredness among healthy individuals, CRF is more severe and is persistent in spite of rest or relaxation, disproportionate to activity level and resists to conventional remedies including sleeping and lasts for weeks, months or years. A Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) scale score of 4 and above is considered to be clinically significant [5].
Reading this evidence
Use the full paper to check the study design, participant selection, comparator and outcome definitions before drawing a practical conclusion. An association does not by itself show cause and effect. A reported performance measure needs its denominator and uncertainty. A finding from a particular facility, sample or time period should retain that scope when it is discussed elsewhere.
This briefing makes the source accessible within the wider research & evidence desk. It does not assess an individual patient or certify a product. When considering relevance to another health system, examine the original authors’ account of context and limitations, then seek local implementation evidence. The related reporting below provides other studies to read alongside this one; it is a topic connection, rather than a claim that their results are directly comparable.
© 2026 Henok Legesse, Yalew Mossie, Lidia Tolessa, Deribe Bekele Dechasa, Lencho Ahmedin, Seblewengel Fita, Aminu Mohammed Yasin, Seid Tesi, Ahmed Hiko, Sisay Habte, Addisu Alemu, Ahmed Mohammed, Michael Shawel, Tamirat Getachew. Excerpts reproduced under CC BY. Selection, formatting and contextual notes by Health Signal. The researchers are the authors of the source study, not members of Health Signal’s staff.
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