Early postoperative core symptoms and their relationship with resilience in oesophageal cancer patients—A multicentre cross‐sectional study

Abstract Aim To assess early postoperative core symptoms in oesophageal cancer patients and their relationship with resilience. Background Patients with oesophageal cancer face a high number of severe symptoms in the early post‐operative period and require the development of an effective symptom management programme. Identifying core symptoms through network analysis helps in accurate patient care. Design A multicentre cross‐sectional study. Methods A cross‐sectional survey was conducted from August 2022 to August 2023 at three hospitals in Anhui Province, China. A total of 469 patients were recruited for this study and 418 (89.1%) patients completed this investigation. Using network analysis to find early post‐operative core symptoms in oesophageal cancer patients. Multiple linear regression was used to analyse resilience factors affecting core symptoms. Results Sadness was the most core symptom in oesophageal cancer patients in the early post‐operative period ( r s = 1.41), followed by incision pain and difficulty breathing while resting ( r s = 1.20, r s = 1.08). Resilience was significantly associated with patients' feelings of sadness, with optimism having the greatest impact on sadness ( p < .01). Conclusion Sadness is the most core symptom in patients in the early post‐operative period and special attention should be paid to improving their level of resilience. Local symptoms and dysfunction in the early post‐operative period should be treated in a synergistic manner. Impact This study identifies core symptoms and their relationship to resilience in patients with oesophageal cancer in the early post‐operative period. Symptoms as the main core symptom in patients in the early post‐operative period, which was sadness and was significantly associated with resilience. Precise interventions can be made to target patients' core post‐operative symptoms, which can help improve the effectiveness of symptom management. Reporting Method We have complied with the relevant EQUATOR research reporting checklist. Patient or Public Contribution No patient or public contribution in the study.