Publicación

Health status among long-term breast cancer survivors suffering from higher levels of fatigue: a cross-sectional study

  • SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
  • Autores
    Alvarez-Salvago, F; Galiano-Castillo, N; Arroyo-Morales, M; Cruz-Fernandez, M; Lozano-Lozano, M; Cantarero-Villanueva, I
  • Año Publicación
    2018
  • Volumen
    26
  • Número
    10
  • Pág. Inicio
    3649
  • Pág. Fin
    3658
  • Pág. Fin
    3649

Purpose The aims of this study were to evaluate the health status of long-term breast cancer survivors (LTBCS) suffering from higher levels of fatigue, to highlight their needs, and to establish the key points of intervention support programs. Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the Sport and Health Joint University Institute (iMUDS) between September 2016 and July 2017 with 80 LTBCS that were classified into non-fatigued (<= 3.9) or fatigued (>= 4) according to the Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS) total score. The instruments used were the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core 30 and its breast cancer (BC) module, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), the Scale for Mood Assessment (EVEA), the International Fitness Scale (IFIS), and the Charlson Comorbidity Index. Results The analysis revealed that 41.2% of LTBCS were considered moderately fatigued and showed significantly higher levels for the categories of “nausea and vomiting” (P = .005), “pain,” “dyspnea” and “insomnia” (P < .001), "appetite loss" (P = .002), "financial difficulties" (P = .010), "systemic therapy side effects" (P < .001), "breast symptoms" and "arm symptoms" (P = .002), and "upset by hair loss" (P = .016). In addition, LTBCS presented significantly higher levels of pain in the affected and non-affected arm, "sadness-depression." "anxiety," "anger/hostility" (All: P < .001), and lower general physical fitness (P < .001). The rest of the variables did not show significant differences. Conclusion LTBCS suffering from higher levels of fatigue had lower QoL, higher level of pain, worse mood state, and lower physical fitness.


Web financiada por la Junta de Andalucía, Consejería de Conocimiento, Investigación y Universidades, Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), proyecto SOMM17/6107/UG

Web financiada por la Junta de Andalucía, Consejería de Conocimiento, Investigación y Universidades, Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), proyecto SOMM17/6107/UGR