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Rooth K, Sundberg K, Gustavell T, Langius-Eklöf A, Gellerstedt L. Symptoms and need for individualised support during the first year after primary treatment for breast cancer-A qualitative study. J Clin Nurs 2024; 33:2298-2308. [PMID: 38304937 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.17045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The survival rate among patients with breast cancer is high. It is well described that after primary treatment patients may experience symptoms and concerns but the needs and resources during the first year to manage everyday life are not well described. AIM To describe experiences of symptom distress, needs and support during the first year after primary treatment for breast cancer from the perspectives of patients and healthcare professionals. DESIGN Qualitative descriptive. METHODS Data collection through individual interviews with patients (n = 17) and a focus group interview with healthcare professionals (n = 7). Data was analysed using thematic analysis and resulted in three themes. RESULTS The first theme, 'Struggling with symptoms and changes in everyday life' shows how symptoms and concerns interfered with the everyday life of patients and in some situations even impeded them. Patients try to adapt to their new situation by creating new routines and managing symptoms through self-care. The second theme, 'Adaption in a period of uncertainty' describes thoughts about cancer recurrence and doubts about continuing with the endocrine therapy if symptoms prolong. In the third theme, 'Support and need for individualized follow-up care' healthcare professionals described that they provide support by being available and by giving both verbal and written information. Patients expressed that the information could be too general and voiced a need for more individually tailored support. CONCLUSION During the first year after primary treatment, patients with breast cancer describe how they try to manage by themselves, but express both unmet needs and a wish for extended and more individually tailored support. The healthcare professionals recognised that patients lack a structured plan for the first year and the need for continued support. This stresses a need for development of care models with special consideration towards individualised support after breast cancer treatment. NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION There was no patient or public involvement in the design or conduct of the study. The interview study was not considered to benefit from involving patients or healthcare professionals when designing the interview guides as they were developed through literature and previous research of patients treated for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Rooth
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kay Sundberg
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tina Gustavell
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Upper Abdominal Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Cancer Theme, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ann Langius-Eklöf
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Linda Gellerstedt
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Song J, Yang X, Wu J, Wu Z, Niu S, Zhuo L, Lyu W, Ye J, Fang Y, Zhan Z, Zhang H, Li X, Hong J, Su L. The association analysis between fatigue and body composition loss in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma during radiotherapy: An observational longitudinal study. Radiother Oncol 2024; 197:110340. [PMID: 38797492 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2024.110340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to reveal the association of fatigue with weekly changes in the body composition in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and identified the independent strength. METHODS Four body composition indexes and fatigue were assessed before treatment (T0, baseline) and once a week throughout radiotherapy (T1-T7). Generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs) were used to explore the trajectories and longitudinal relationships of fatigue and weekly changes in body composition. The marginal structural model (MSM) was used to control the effect of depression and anxiety. RESULTS The trajectories of fatigue in 105 participants reached a peak in the fifth week, and changes in body composition started appearing from the second week. Four body composition indexes, weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat rate, and lean body weight loss weekly were positively associated with fatigue. High magnitude of effects was revealed when anxiety and depression were controlled as time-dependent confounders. The positive associations with fatigue were manifested in patients aged >53 years, those with senior high and above education, no drinking, >5000 Y/month of family inflow, ≥ stage III, or those receiving a dose of ≥70 Gy, ≥3 cycles of induced chemotherapy, and ≤1 cycle of concurrent chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Loss of weight, BMI, body fat rate, and lean body weight could be used to independently evaluate the development of fatigue in patients with NPC during radiotherapy. Positive associations between fatigue and weekly body composition loss were found in patients with certain characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihong Song
- School of Nursing, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; School of Nursing, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xinru Yang
- School of Nursing, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jieling Wu
- School of Nursing, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zilan Wu
- School of Nursing, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Sitian Niu
- School of Nursing, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Litao Zhuo
- School of Nursing, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wenlong Lyu
- Department of Radiotherapy, Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, China; Department of Radiotherapy, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, China; Key Laboratory of Radiation Biology of Fujian Higher Education Institutions, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, China
| | - Jinru Ye
- Department of Radiotherapy, Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, China; Department of Radiotherapy, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, China; Key Laboratory of Radiation Biology of Fujian Higher Education Institutions, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, China
| | - Yan Fang
- Nursing Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, China
| | - Zhiying Zhan
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment Factors and Cancer, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, China
| | - Hairong Zhang
- Fujian Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China
| | - Xiaomei Li
- School of Nursing, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jinsheng Hong
- Department of Radiotherapy, Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, China; Department of Radiotherapy, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, China; Key Laboratory of Radiation Biology of Fujian Higher Education Institutions, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, China.
| | - Li Su
- Department of Radiotherapy, Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, China; Department of Radiotherapy, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, China; Key Laboratory of Radiation Biology of Fujian Higher Education Institutions, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, China.
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Dorfman CS, Fisher HM, Thomas S, Kelleher SA, Winger JG, Mitchell NS, Miller SN, Somers TJ. Breast cancer survivors with pain: an examination of the relationships between body mass index, physical activity, and symptom burden. Support Care Cancer 2023; 31:604. [PMID: 37782420 PMCID: PMC10721211 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-023-08064-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Overweight and obesity are common for breast cancer survivors and associated with high symptom burden (i.e., pain, fatigue, depressive symptoms). Physical activity may protect breast cancer survivors with higher body mass indexes (BMI) from increased symptoms. However, the role of physical activity in buffering the relationship between higher BMI and greater symptoms is unclear. METHODS Baseline data from a randomized trial investigating Pain Coping Skills Training among breast cancer survivors (N = 327) with pain were used to examine the relationship between self-reported BMI (kg/m2) and physical activity level (Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity; suboptimal vs. optimal) with pain (Brief Pain Inventory; severity and interference), fatigue (PROMIS-Fatigue short form), and depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale). Analyses were conducted in SPSS. Hayes PROCESS macro (Model 1) assessed whether physical activity moderated the relationship between BMI and symptoms. RESULTS Lower BMI (B = .06, p < .01) and optimal physical activity (B = - .69, p < .01) were independently associated with lower pain interference. Lower BMI was also associated with lower pain severity (B = .04, p < .001). Neither BMI nor physical activity was associated with fatigue or depressive symptoms. Physical activity did not moderate the relationship between BMI and symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Among breast cancer survivors experiencing pain, higher BMI and being less physically active were related to greater pain (i.e., severity and/or interference). Physical activity did not buffer the relationships between BMI and pain, fatigue, and depressive symptoms, suggesting that physical activity alone may not be sufficient to influence the strength of the relationships between BMI and symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline S Dorfman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Hannah M Fisher
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Samantha Thomas
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sarah A Kelleher
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Joseph G Winger
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Nia S Mitchell
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Shannon N Miller
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Tamara J Somers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
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Hass HG, Seywald M, Wöckel A, Muco B, Tanriverdi M, Stepien J. Psychological distress in breast cancer patients during oncological inpatient rehabilitation: incidence, triggering factors and correlation with treatment-induced side effects. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2023; 307:919-925. [PMID: 35732979 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-022-06657-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
As a result of the cancer diagnosis and the mostly multimodal, stressful therapy, psychological distress is a common symptom in breast cancer patients. As part of this prospective study, 1400 patients who were admitted to the hospital for oncological rehabilitation were screened for distress and somatic, therapy-induced secondary disorders. Mean distress in the screened population was 5.6 ± 2.56 (range 0-10). In 942 cases (67.3%) a significant distress score (≥ 5) was detected and in 587 cases (41.9%) very high levels of distress (≥ 7) was observed. Psychological distress significantly correlated with younger age, presence of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), tumor recurrence and metastasis, and inability to work. Treatment-induced side effects such as lymphedema, CIPN or extensive tumor resection (mastectomy) showed a (not significant) trend for higher distress. The high incidence of distress underscores the importance of psycho-oncological therapy offers and the great importance of occupational measures during oncological rehabilitation such as the importance of a successful return to work for a better quality of life in breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger G Hass
- Klinik Gais, Abteilung Onkologie, Dep. Innere Medizin, Gäbrisstrasse 1172, 9056, Gais, Switzerland. .,Institut Für Rehabilitationsforschung Und Survivorship (IREFOS), 88175, Scheidegg, Germany.
| | - Marianne Seywald
- Institut Für Rehabilitationsforschung Und Survivorship (IREFOS), 88175, Scheidegg, Germany.,Paracelsus-Klinik, 88175, Scheidegg, Germany
| | - Achim Wöckel
- Frauenklinik, Universitätsklinikum, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Blerta Muco
- Universität Würzburg, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Jürgen Stepien
- Institut Für Rehabilitationsforschung Und Survivorship (IREFOS), 88175, Scheidegg, Germany.,Paracelsus-Klinik, 88175, Scheidegg, Germany
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Park C, Park SK, Woo A, Ng BP. Health-related quality of life among elderly breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant endocrine therapy: a U.S Medicare population-based study. Qual Life Res 2022; 31:1345-1357. [PMID: 35064415 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-021-03059-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The evidence regarding the impact of individual adjuvant endocrine therapies (AET) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is limited. We aimed to assess the association between the type of AET and HRQoL and to examine the relationship between HRQoL and one-year mortality among women with breast cancer in the USA. METHODS This retrospective cross-sectional study used the 2006-2017 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare Health Outcomes Survey database to identify older women with early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Multivariate linear regressions were used to assess the association between types of AET (anastrozole, letrozole, exemestane, and tamoxifen) and HRQoL scores (physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS)). Multivariate logistic regressions were used to predict the impact of PCS and MCS on one-year mortality. RESULTS Out of 3537 older women with breast cancer, anastrozole was the most commonly prescribed (n = 1945, 55.0%). Regarding PCS, there was no significant difference between the four AET agents. Higher MCS scores, which indicate better HRQoL, were reported in patients treated with anastrozole (vs. letrozole [β = 1.26, p = 0.007] and exemestane [β = 2.62, p = 0.005) and tamoxifen (vs. letrozole [β = 1.49, p = 0.010] and exemestane [β = 2.85, p = 0.004]). Lower PCS and MCS scores were associated with higher one-year mortality, regardless of type of AET initiated, except for tamoxifen in MCS. CONCLUSION Although there was no significant difference in physical HRQoL scores between AET agents, anastrozole and tamoxifen were associated with better mental HRQoL scores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanhyun Park
- Health Outcome Division, The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, 2409 University Avenue MC A1930, Austin, TX, 78712-1120, USA.
| | - Sun-Kyeong Park
- School of Pharmacy, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, South Korea
| | - Ahye Woo
- Department of Pharmacy and Health Systems Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Boon Peng Ng
- College of Nursing, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
- Disability, Aging, and Technology Cluster, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
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Abstract
BACKGROUND While women diagnosed with breast cancer have increased survival when compared with other cancers, survivorship may include residual symptom burden from treatment and continuing endocrine therapies. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to identify subgroups of breast cancer survivors experiencing similar symptom severity. METHODS Participants were 498 women with breast cancer, not on active treatment. Symptom severity was self-reported using the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory. Target symptoms were included in a latent profile analysis. Factors related to subgroup membership and differences in quality of life (QOL) and functioning were explored using logistic regression. RESULTS Mean age was 60.11 (SD, 11.32) years, 86.1% were white, and 79.1% were receiving endocrine therapy. Target symptoms included fatigue (reported at ≥5 by 22.8% of women), sleep disturbance (24.8%), and trouble remembering (17.2%). Two subgroups were identified: low symptom severity (77.0% of women) and high (23.0%). Older women (odds ratio [OR], 0.971; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.952-0.989) and employed women (OR, 0.621; 95% CI, 0404-0.956) were less likely to be in the high subgroup; women with poorer performance status (OR, 1.653; 95% CI, 1.188-2.299) were more likely to be in the high subgroup. Women in the high subgroup reported lower QOL (P = .000) and greater interference with functioning (P = .000). CONCLUSIONS Two subgroups of women with distinct symptom severity were identified. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Identification of women at risk for high symptoms during survivorship may allow clinicians to intensify their approach to symptom management, thereby mitigating poor outcomes and impairments in QOL.
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Li CC, Chou YJ, Shun SC. The Relationship Between Muscle Strength and Body Composition Measures and Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Oncol Nurs Forum 2021; 48:558-576. [PMID: 34411084 DOI: 10.1188/21.onf.558-576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) substantially affects daily living and quality of life, but objective CRF measures remain limited. This review aimed to identify the correlation between muscle strength and body composition measures and CRF, as well as potential objective indicators for assessing CRF. LITERATURE SEARCH PubMed®, MEDLINE®, CINAHL®/PsycINFO®, and Embase® were searched for studies published from January 2000 to January 2021. DATA EVALUATION Study selection and quality assessment were conducted using the Critical Appraisals Skills Programme checklist and the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology statement. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software was used to perform meta-analysis. SYNTHESIS 25 studies were selected, and 19 measures were analyzed. CRF negatively correlated with hand grip strength, knee extensor strength, and the sit-to-stand test. No significant correlation was found between body composition measures and CRF. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING The evidence suggests that muscle strength measures may be potential indicators for CRF assessment. Combining objective and subjective CRF assessments could assist clinicians in evaluating the effectiveness of CRF interventions more accurately.
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Martino G, Catalano A, Agostino RM, Bellone F, Morabito N, Lasco CG, Vicario CM, Schwarz P, Feldt-Rasmussen U. Quality of life and psychological functioning in postmenopausal women undergoing aromatase inhibitor treatment for early breast cancer. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230681. [PMID: 32214378 PMCID: PMC7098625 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) dramatically increased breast cancer (BC) survival, leading to enhanced attention to their long-term consequences on psychological functioning. Conflicting data has been examined regarding the association between AIs administration and the clinical psychological features in BC survivors (BCSs). PURPOSE As psychological symptoms often occur in such chronic diseases, our study aimed at exploring anxious and depressive symptoms and the perceived quality of life (QoL) in BCSs assessed for osteoporosis. METHODS The total sample consisted of a clinical sample of 51 outpatient postmenopausal women, diagnosed with BC, and a control group composed of 51 healthy postmenopausal women. All recruited participants were evaluated through the clinical gold standard interview and completed the following self-rating scales: the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Beck Depression Inventory II edition, and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, which were administered at baseline and after 6 months in BCSs in AIs treatment, compared with controls. Moreover, all participants were assessed for vitamin D status, bone mineral density (BMD) and subclinical vertebral fractures. Data regarding age, age at menopause, body mass index (BMI), smoking habits and alcohol consumption was collected. RESULTS BCSs (n = 51) showed higher anxious and depressive symptoms, and lower perceived QoL vs. controls (n = 51) (p<0.05 for all). After 6 months of treatment with AIs, BCSs showed significant reduction of anxious and depressive symptoms and a significantly higher perceived QoL for both physical and mental components, vs. controls. CONCLUSIONS The improvement of clinical psychological features and perceived QoL was associated with AIs treatment in women being treated with, for early breast cancer. Further studies are needed to obtain a deeper comprehension of the correlation between clinical psychological and physical features in BCSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Martino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Antonino Catalano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Rita Maria Agostino
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Grand Metropolitan Hospital Bianchi Melacrino Morelli, Reggio-Calabria, Italy
| | - Federica Bellone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Nunziata Morabito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Carmen Giulia Lasco
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Carmelo Mario Vicario
- Department of Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Peter Schwarz
- Department of Medical Endocrinology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulla Feldt-Rasmussen
- Department of Medical Endocrinology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Anbari AB, Deroche CB, Armer JM. Body mass index trends and quality of life from breast cancer diagnosis through seven years’ survivorship. World J Clin Oncol 2019; 10:382-390. [PMID: 31890647 PMCID: PMC6935688 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v10.i12.382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Weight gain is a potential negative outcome of breast-cancer treatment, occurring in 50%-to-96% of breast-cancer patients, although the amount of weight gain is inconsistently reported in the literature. Research has also shown a relationship between overweight/obesity and breast-cancer mortality. Correspondingly, weight management is a self-care approach known to benefit quality of life (QOL). These research questions and analysis add to existing literature by examining participants’ body mass index (BMI) trend and its relationship with QOL indicators over seven years.
AIM To examine: (1) BMI trends among breast cancer survivors; and (2) The trends’ relationship to QOL indicators over seven years.
METHODS During the Breast Cancer and Lymphedema Project, 378 patients’ weight and height were recorded by nurses prior to or just after beginning breast cancer treatment and repeated at quarterly-to-semiannual intervals over seven years. Additionally, participants annually completed the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), a valid and reliable tool assessing QOL and health concepts, including physical function, pain, and emotional well-being. BMI trends, change in BMI, and change in SF-36 subscales over seven years were calculated using a random-intercept repeated-measures regression. Patients were placed into BMI categories at each time point: Normal, Overweight and Obese. As patients’ weights changed, they were categorized accordingly.
RESULTS During the seven-year study and while controlling for age and residence, participants gained an average of 0.3534 kg/m2 (P = 0.0009). This amount remained fairly consistent across BMI categories with those in the normal-weight category (n = 134) gaining 0.4546 kg/m2 (P = 0.0003); Overweight (n = 190) gaining 0.2985 kg/m2 (P = 0.0123); and obese (n = 199) gaining 0.3147 kg/m2, (P = 0.0649). Age (under or over 55) and region (metro/micro vs small/rural) were significantly associated with BMI increase in both the normal and obese categories. There were statistically significant (P < 0.0100) changes in five of the eight SF-36 domains; however, the directions of change were different and somewhat divergent from that hypothesized. Controlling for age and region, these five were statistically significant, so there were no change or differences between the micropolitan/metropolitan and small town/rural groups.
CONCLUSION Although only modest increases in mean BMI were observed, mean BMI change was associated with selected QOL indicators, suggesting the continued need for self-care emphasis during breast cancer survivorship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Brandt Anbari
- Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States
| | - Chelsea B Deroche
- Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States
| | - Jane M Armer
- Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States
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