Scale used for symptom intensity:
(1) not at all severe
(2) moderately severe
(3) extremely severe
For the implementation I will use a 5 point scale (none, minimal, mild, moderate, severe).
Criteria for a burdensome symptom:
(1) severe intensity of any duration
(2) moderate intensity for >=50% of the time
Symptoms that were the most burdensome in the study:
(1) dyspnea
(2) pain
(3) nausea
(4) anxiety
(5) depression
For the implementation I will allow for 2 additional symptoms (total of 7).
Interpretation:
• minimum number of burdensome symptoms: 0
• maximum number of burdensome symptoms: 7
• The presence of one or more burdensome symptoms is associated with reduced quality of life.
