Does self-reported functional limitation attributed to symptoms persist 1 year after initial treatment for early breast cancer?

Abstract

19519 Background and Significance: Comorbidity, disability and compromised functional status increase with age. It is unclear to what extent the symptoms related to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer play a role in activity limitation in older adults. We examined the prevalence of self-reported functional limitation in a breast cancer population, whether this limitation is attributed to various symptoms, and how this attribution changes over time from early in treatment to 9-months later. Methods: 1,011 patients with breast cancer were surveyed 3 months after diagnosis (baseline) and 933 of those patients were surveyed at 12 months after diagnosis (9 month follow up). In each survey, participants were asked whether or not they had each of 21 symptoms and whether or not each symptom caused significant activity limitation. Results: Of the 933 patients (mean age 62.7 years) who completed baseline and follow up evaluations, 420 were aged 65 years and older. At baseline, 47% of patients 65 years and older reported functional limitation compared with 44% of patients younger than 65 years (p=0.29). Activity limitation at baseline was attributed to nausea in 4% of older patients, (O) and 8% of younger patients (Y) (p=0.016), to pains in the chest area in 11% (O) and 9% (Y) (p=0.21), to joint or muscle aches in 20% (O) and 16% (Y) (p=0.13), to tiring easily in 31% (O and Y), and to depression in 9% (O) and 13% (Y) (p=0.19). At follow up 47% of patients 65 years and older reported functional limitation compared with 40% of patients younger than 65 years (p=0.02). Activity limitation at follow up was attributed to nausea in 3% (O) and 7% (Y) (p=0.003), to pains in the chest area in 11% (O) and 9% (Y) (p=0.21), to joint or muscle aches in 23% (O) and 17% (Y) (p=0.01), to tiring easily in 26% (O) and 24% (Y) (p=0.60), and to depression in 8% (O and Y). Conclusion: Self-reported functional limitation is prevalent 3 months and 1 year after breast cancer diagnosis. Self reported activity limitation in older and younger patients is not significantly different at baseline, and is significantly higher in older patients at follow up, with older patients having significantly less nausea and significantly more joint and muscle aches. No significant financial relationships to disclose.