Determinants of fatigue 6 and 12 months after surgery in women with early-stage breast cancer: a comparison with women with benign breast problems.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to examine the predictors of fatigue 6 and 12 months after surgical treatment in women with early-stage breast cancer (BC group) and in women with benign breast problems (BBP group) in a prospective follow-up study.


METHODS
Women entered the study prior to diagnosis and completed questionnaires on personality factors, psychological factors, and social support. Fatigue was assessed 6 and 12 months after diagnosis (BBP group) or surgical treatment (BC group). Clinical data were taken from medical records.


RESULTS
In the BC group (n=117), fatigue at 6 months was predicted by trait anxiety (P<.001) and extraversion (P<.05). Trait anxiety (P<.05), extraversion (P<.05), and depressive symptoms (P<.05) predicted fatigue at 12 months. In the BBP group (n=190), the predictors were trait anxiety (P<.001) for fatigue at 6 months, and trait anxiety (P<.001) and neuroticism (P<.01) for fatigue at 12 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Many patients who are already fatigued before diagnosis remain tired regardless of diagnosis. Trait anxiety is strongly related to fatigue in both groups.
De Vries
Jolanda
J
Department of Medical Psychology, CoRPS, Tilburg University, PO Box 90153, 5000 LE Tilburg, The Netherlands. j.devries@uvt.nl
Van der Steeg
Alida F
AF
Roukema
Jan A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003071:Cognition; D003710:Demography; D005221:Fatigue / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors