Introduction/Background Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea (CIN) is a distressing side effect for patients undergoing chemotherapy, which deeply affects their quality of life and everyday activities. Several treatment-related and patient-related factors may be involved in the expression of CIN. This study aims to identify predictive factors for nausea after the first chemotherapy infusion in a sample of women with gynecological cancer.

Methodology One hundred and sixty-five patients (mean age=58.23, SD=13.19) treated for gynecological cancer at the San Raffaele Hospital completed the MASCC Antiemesis Tool (MAT) in order to register the presence of acute (within 24 hours) and delayed (24–72 hours) nausea after the first chemotherapy infusion. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics that could represent risk factors for nausea were collected with an ad hoc questionnaire designed by the research team. Logistic regression analyses were performed for predicting acute or delayed CIN; significance level was set at 0.05.

Results Sixty-three (38.7%) patients experienced acute nausea after their first chemotherapy infusion; 46% (n=75) of the sample experienced delayed nausea. Neoadjuvant (vs. adjuvant) chemotherapy represents a protective factor for delayed CIN (OR=0.350; p=0.033). Hyperemesis gravidarum and anticipatory nausea both represent risk factors for delayed nausea (OR=2.307, p=0.026; OR=4.316; p=0.004, respectively). No significant association was found with acute nausea.

Conclusion Despite advancements in antiemetic therapy, results show that CIN still represents a common chemotherapy side-effect for women with gynecological cancer. Specific patient-related and treatment-related characteristics seem to influence the onset of delayed nausea after the first chemotherapy infusion. The knowledge of risk factors for CIN could help identify patients who are more vulnerable to this symptom and implement specific psychological and medical interventions in order to promote a better adjustment to the disease and its treatment.

Disclosure Nothing to disclose.