Abstract
Changes in body composition and muscle dysfunction are common in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Ultrasound imaging (US) offers reliable information about muscle and fat tissue architecture (thickness) and quality (echo-intensity). This study aimed to analyze the responsiveness of thickness and echo-intensity and its possible relationship with functional and patient reported-outcomes (PRO) in MBC patients after an exercise intervention. A prospective study was conducted in 2019. A 12-week exercise program was performed, including aerobic exercise and strength training. Measurements were made at baseline and after intervention. Thickness and echo-intensity were obtained from the quadriceps and biceps brachii and brachialis (BB). Mean differences were calculated using the T-Student parametric test for dependent samples of the differences in the means before and after the intervention (p = 0.05; 95% CI). Data from 13 MBC patients showed that some US muscle variables had significant differences after intervention. Best correlations were found between the quality of life questionnaire (QLQ-BR23) PRO and variables from BB muscle thickness in contraction (r = 0.61, p < 0.01), and Non-contraction (r = 0.55, p < 0.01). BB Muscle Non-contraction Thickness also explained 70% of QLQ-BR23 variance. In conclusion, muscle architecture biomarkers showed great responsiveness and are correlated with PRO after an exercise intervention in MBC patients.
Highlights
Changes in body composition and muscle dysfunction are common in metastatic breast cancer (MBC)
Thirteen women with MBC were voluntarily included in the study
In MBC patients, proposed Ultrasound imaging (US) biomarkers related to muscle architecture showed greater responsiveness than those related to fat tissue (FT) and patient reported-outcomes (PRO)
Summary
Changes in body composition and muscle dysfunction are common in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Abbreviations BB Biceps brachii and brachialis BC Breast cancer BMI Body mass index DALYs Disability-adjusted life-years DXA Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry FT Fat tissue MBC Metastatic breast cancer Non-con Non-contraction LLFI Lower Limbs Functional Index PFS-R Piper Fatigue Scale-Revised PRO Patient-reported outcomes Q Quadriceps QLQ-BR 23 Quality of Life Questionnaire Breast Cancer QoL Quality of life ULFI Upper Limbs Functional Index US Ultrasound imaging. Medical advances have lengthened the survival of patients with M BC6, this disease is still considered incurable and is responsible for a significant part of cancer-related deaths[7,8] Both in the BC survivors and those patients diagnosed with MBC, most of them remain with signs, symptoms, and poor values of functional u pper[9] and lower limbs capacity and quality of life[10], as well as significant levels of pain, fatigue, lymphedema or peripheral nervous system disorders[11]. Due to the characteristics of the metastatic disease itself, many treatment efforts focus on slowing down the physical and functional deterioration, often inevitable as the disease progresses[24]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
