Executive function in breast cancer survivors and the influencing factors

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze executive function (EF) in postchemotherapy breast cancer survivors and factors that influence it. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2 hospitals in Jakarta and Bandung, Indonesia. Respondents consisted of 82 breast cancer survivors who had completed 6 cycles of chemotherapy, 81 nonchemotherapy breast cancer survivors, and 80 noncancer female patients, who were determined by consecutive sampling. Data collection tools included patient care documentation, Trail Making Test B, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Perceived Stress Scale, and Piper Fatigue Scale. Data analysis was done using multiple logistic regression. The mean age of the respondents was 43.06±8.18 years, the mean score of stress was 13.12±5.55, 81.1% of respondents had <12 years of education, 81.1% were not using hormonal therapy, 51.4% were in menopause, 62.6% did not have anemia, 51% had poor sleep quality, and 47.32% experienced mild fatigue. Furthermore, 86.6% of postchemotherapy breast cancer survivors had experienced EF impairment. Variables that had significant relationships with EF impairment were age, stress, length of education, classification of respondents, type of chemotherapy, hormonal therapy usage, menopausal status, hemoglobin level, and sleep quality. It was concluded that most influencing variables that disrupt EF are chemotherapy type, age, and stress (OR 18.089, 1.138, and 1.104, respectively).