Serkan BUDAK, Yasemin KARACAN, Rıdvan BAYRAM
Journal of Education and Research in Nursing - 2026;23(2):139-146
Background: Older adults diagnosed with cancer often experience multiple concurrent symptoms, making effective symptom management crucial. Nurses play a key role in identifying and managing these symptoms in palliative care settings. Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of common symptoms among older adults (defined as individuals aged >=65 years) with cancer receiving palliative care. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis included studies retrieved from the Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, EBSCO, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases between 2014 and 2024, using the keywords palliative, cancer, symptom, and age-related terms (older, elderly, and aged). The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklists. Data were pooled and analyzed using meta-analysis techniques. Results: Eighteen studies (nine cohort and nine cross-sectional) with a total sample size of 48,503 participants were included. The pooled prevalence estimates were as follows: pain, 48.6%; fatigue, 61.0%; dyspnea, 48.6%; lack of appetite, 56.7%; nausea, 27.0%; sleep problems, 52.9%; depression, 32.4%; drowsiness, 56.6%; poor well-being, 42.3%; and anxiety, 22.1%. This study identified the prevalence of major symptoms among older adults with cancer receiving palliative care. Further high-quality studies are needed to explore underlying mechanisms and mediators affecting symptom management. Conclusion: The results highlight the importance of developing nursing-led symptom assessment and management strategies to improve the quality of palliative care for older adults.
