Kim SH, Cho YU, Kim SJ, Lee JE, Kim JH. Low bone density in breast cancer survivors in Korea: prevalence, risk factors and associations with health-related quality of life.
Eur J Oncol Nurs 2012;
17:196-203. [PMID:
22898655 DOI:
10.1016/j.ejon.2012.07.003]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2012] [Revised: 07/07/2012] [Accepted: 07/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE
To examine the prevalence and risk factors of low bone density and identify associations with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in breast cancer survivors in Korea.
METHODS
This study was a cross-sectional descriptive study design. A total of 136 women with breast cancer who had completed their therapy were recruited at one university-based cancer center in Korea. Bone mineral density (BMD), health behaviors (physical activity, diet/nutrition behaviors, smoking, alcohol consumption, sunlight exposure), and HRQOL were measured.
RESULTS
Among the 136 breast cancer survivors, 49 women (36.0%) had osteopenia and six women (4.4%) had osteoporosis. Univariate analyses revealed that older age, low education level, low monthly income, tamoxifen therapy, aromatase inhibitor therapy, calcium supplement intake, and past or current smoking were associated with low bone density (BMD T-score < -1.0). In multivariate analyses, low economic status (OR = 2.22, p = 0.050) and past or current smoking (OR = 3.77, p = 0.039) were final risk factors of low bone density. In addition, women who had low bone density reported worse role function (p = 0.022) than women who did not.
CONCLUSIONS
Women of lower economic status or who are past or current smokers warrant monitoring and treatment strategies to reduce bone loss risk. Nurses may play a crucial role in screening this high-risk group for low bone density and in educating patients on the importance of healthy lifestyle changes.
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