Fatigue in long-term breast carcinoma survivors: a longitudinal investigation.
BACKGROUND
A longitudinal study was designed to evaluate the prevalence, persistence, and predictors of posttreatment fatigue in breast carcinoma survivors.


METHODS
A sample of 763 breast carcinoma survivors completed questionnaires at 1-5 and 5-10 years after diagnosis, including the RAND 36-item Health Survey, Center for Epidemiological Studies - Depression scale (CES-D), Breast Cancer Prevention Trial Symptom Checklist, and demographic and treatment-related measures.


RESULTS
Approximately 34% of study participants reported significant fatigue at 5-10 years after diagnosis, which is consistent with prevalence estimates obtained at 1-5 years after diagnosis. Approximately 21% reported fatigue at both assessment points, indicating a more persistent symptom profile. Longitudinal predictors of fatigue included depression, cardiovascular problems, and type of treatment received. Women treated with either radiation or chemotherapy alone showed a small improvement in fatigue compared with those treated with both radiation and chemotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Fatigue continues to be a problem for breast carcinoma survivors many years after cancer diagnosis, with 21% reporting persistent problems with fatigue. Several factors that may contribute to long-term fatigue are amenable to intervention, including depression and comorbid medical conditions.
Bower
Julienne E
JE
Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience, University of California at Los Angeles, 90095, USA. jbower@ucla.edu
Ganz
Patricia A
PA
Desmond
Katherine A
KA
Bernaards
Coen
C
Rowland
Julia H
JH
Meyerowitz
Beth E
BE
Belin
Thomas R
TR
D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression; D005221:Fatigue / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors