Thesis Type: Postgraduate
Institution Of The Thesis: Gazi University, Turkey
Approval Date: 2017
Thesis Language: Turkish
Student: Elmas Maşalacı
Supervisor: HÜLYA BULUT
Abstract:This study is conducted prospectively and descriptively in order to determine the severeness of symptoms for the patients with primary brain tumor and the hindering effects of such symptoms in living of the individuals. This study was conducted on 90 patients with primary brain tumor in Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Atatürk Education and Research Hospital, Brain and Nerve Surgery Service. In this study Patient Information Forms are used as data collection tool and MD Anderson Brain Tumor Symptom Inventory (MDA-BTSE) is used in order to assess severeness of symptoms and the hindering effects of such symptoms in the living of these patients. Patient Information Form was used once at the initial stage of the study and MDA-BTSE was used before and after the surgery and face to face with the patient before he/she was discharged and on the first month on phone after discharge. In this study Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis and Friedman Tests were used as descriptive statistics (percentage, frequency, average, standard deviation and median). In line with the results of this study when MDA-BTSE symptom score averages are assessed, changes were determined to be significant prior to surgery in the fields of vomiting and sadness as the lowest and the highest respectively and during discharge period attack and appearance as the lowest and the highest respectively. Whereas, when the average of symptom scores is assessed on the 1st month after discharge, it is observed that the lowest average belongs to attacks and the highest average belongs to sleep disorder. When the items of MDA-BTSE related to hindering the living of individuals were assessed the most hindering effect was related to emotions in each quarterly period and the lowest hindering effect was about daily activities during pre-operation period, walking during discharge period and daily activities during the first post-discharge month. When sub-dimensions of MDA-BTSE were reviewed the changes in score averages during preoperation, discharge and in 1st month after discharge revealed that even there were decrease in cognitive symptoms and focal neurologic deficits by time after discharge, at the 1st month these are increased again and general symptoms increased by discharge but decreased in the 1st month which are statistically found to be significant changes (p<0,05). In line with the data obtained from this study, it is recommended to establish and apply patient training programs that will provide effective management of developed symptoms in patients and consultancy services to be given to such patients.