Determining the impact of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: A survey of cancer survivors.

Abstract

e24080 Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a major yet poorly understood side effect of cancer treatment, leading to symptoms including numbness, tingling and pain. It can lead to cessation of effective treatment, long-term functional disability and reduced quality of life. Despite this, there is currently little understanding of its impact. Methods: The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of neurotoxic chemotherapy side effects on the lives of cancer survivors. Data was collected via an online survey covering demographics, cancer diagnosis and treatment, CIPN and other side effects of chemotherapy, using standardised measures to assess comorbidities, quality of life, physical activity, pain and CIPN symptoms. Results: Data was analysed from 986 respondents who were treated with neurotoxic therapies (83% female, 16% male), with mean age 59 years ( SD 10.7 years). A majority of respondents were treated for breast cancer (59%), 14% for colorectal cancer and 11% for multiple myeloma. Chemotherapy types received included paclitaxel (32%), docetaxel (32%) and oxaliplatin (13%), and respondents completed treatment a mean of 3.6 years ago. The majority of respondents (80%) reported experiencing neuropathic symptoms after finishing chemotherapy, with 77% reporting current CIPN. Those with CIPN reported functional impacts, with 23% reporting moderate to severe problems with hand function and 28% reporting moderate to severe walking difficulties. CIPN was second most commonly rated as the treatment side effect having the greatest impact, following fatigue. Respondents with high levels of current CIPN symptoms had poorer quality of life, more comorbid health conditions, higher BMI and more often received multiple neurotoxic chemotherapies than those with low levels of CIPN symptoms. In addition, respondents who reported meeting government physical activity guidelines had lower CIPN and higher quality of life scores than those who did not meet the guidelines. Regression analyses investigating the association between quality of life and clinical and sociodemographic characteristics resulted in a model with comorbid health conditions, CIPN symptoms, years since treatment, age and physical activity as significant predictors of quality of life. Conclusions: These findings suggest that CIPN has a lasting impact on cancer survivors, leading to decreases in quality of life, often occurring alongside poorer general health. This impact supports the need for further research to improve assessment, prevention and treatment.