Cancer-Related fatigue interferes with activities of daily living among 753 patients receiving chemotherapy: A URCC CCOP study

Abstract

9500 Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is hypothesized to impair quality of life by interfering with patients’ abilities to perform activities of daily living (ADL). The purpose of this study is to describe the interference of CRF with ADL, specifically performing household chores, cooking, bathing, dressing, working, socializing, engaging in sexual activity and running errands. Methods: 753 patients (M age = 57; N = 483 female) with mixed cancer diagnoses were assessed on CRF and its interference with ADL 7 days after their first 2 chemotherapy infusions as part of a large nationwide clinical trial conducted by the URCC CCOP Research Base. CRF and interference were assessed using questions from the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue instrument anchored with a 10-point Likert Scale (1 = “Not at all” to 10 = “A great deal”). Results: 553 of these 753 patients reported CRF at cycle 1 (M = 5.99; SE = 0.10) and cycle 2 (M = 5.73; SE = 0.09). In these 553 patients, CRF interfered with household chores in 488 patients (M = 4.89; SE = 0.12), cooking in 459 patients (M = 4.52; SE = 0.13), bathing in 545 patients (M = 4.21; SE = 0.14), dressing in 548 patients (M = 4.22; SE = 0.14), working in 322 patients (M = 4.46; SE = 0.18, socializing in 541 patients (M = 4.55; SE = 0.12), engaging in sexual activity in 368 patients (M = 4.64; SE = 0.12), and running errands in 513 patients (M = 4.59; SD = 0.13) at cycle 1. CRF interfered with household chores in 488 patients (M = 4.89; SE = 0.12), cooking in 459 patients (M = 4.52; SE = 0.13), bathing in 545 patients (M = 4.21; SE = 0.14), dressing in 548 patients (M = 4.22; SE = 0.14), working in 322 patients (M = 4.46; SE = 0.18), socializing in 541 patients (M = 4.55; SE = 0.12), engaging in sexual activity in 368 patients (M = 4.64; SE = 0.12), and running errands in 513 patients (M = 4.59; SD = 0.13) during cycle 2. CRF was significantly correlated with interference for all ADL at both cycle 1 and 2 (all p < 0.01). There were no significant differences on CRF interference with ADL between cycle 1 and 2. There were significant differences in CRF interference with ADL based on gender, race, diagnosis and adjuvant/metastatic therapy. Conclusions: CRF interferes with cancer patients’ abilities to perform ADL while receiving chemotherapy. Funded by NCI grant U10 CA37420. No significant financial relationships to disclose.