Comparing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting between young adult vs non-young adult cancer patients

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting are among the most distressing side effects of cancer therapy. Younger age is a risk factor for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and cancer incidence is rising among young adults ages 18-39 years. However, the comparative burden of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in young adults vs non-young adults remains insufficiently understood. This study compared acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting between young adults and non-young adults (ie, ages 40 years and older) after the first infusion of moderately or highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Of 1609 participants, 159 (10%) were young adults. Rates of guideline-consistent antiemetic prophylactic care were similar between groups (65% young adults, 71% non-young adults; P = .11). Despite this, acute nausea was more prevalent (69% vs 40%; P < .001) and severe (mean [SD] = 3.9 [2.6] vs mean = 3.0 [2.3] on 0-10 scale; P < .001) among young adults vs non-young adults. Similarly, delayed nausea was more prevalent (85% vs 69%; P < .001) and severe (mean = 4.5 [2.4] vs mean = 3.7 [2.5]; P < .001) among young adults. Findings may inform clinical approaches to managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting among young adults.