title: Identification of tools to measure changes in musculoskeletal symptoms and physical functioning in women with breast cancer receiving aromatase inhibitors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate and compare responsiveness of standardized self-reported measures of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSSs) and physical functioning (PF) during treatment with aromatase inhibitors (AIs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, longitudinal study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Park Nicollet Institute and North Memorial Cancer Center, both in Minneapolis, MN.
  
  
  METHODS
  122 postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  MSSs and PF were assessed before starting AIs and at one, three, and six months using six self-reported MSSs measures and two PF tests.
  
  
  METHODS
  MSSs and PF changes from baseline to six months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial-Musculoskeletal Symptom (BCPT-MS) subscale, 54% of participants reported MSSs by six months. Scores from the BCPT-MS subscale and the physical function subscales of the Australian/Canadian Osteoarthritis Hand Index (AUSCAN) and Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) were most responsive to changes over six months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BCPT-MS, AUSCAN, and WOMAC were the most responsive instruments for measuring AI-associated MSSs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Assessment and management of MSSs are important aspects of oncology care because MSSs can affect functional ability and AI adherence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The three measures with the greatest sensitivity were the BCPT-MS, AUSCAN, and WOMAC questionnaires. These measures will be useful when conducting research on change in MSSs associated with AI treatment in women with breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Oncology Research Department, Park Nicollet Institute, Minneapolis, MN.
authors.forename: Karen K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Swenson
authors.forename: Mary Jo
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Nissen
authors.forename: Susan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Henly
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maybon
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pupkes
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zwicky
authors.forename: Michaela L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Alice C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Shapiro
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004967:Estrogens; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000139:chemically induced*; D063806:Myalgia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D009376:Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017698:Postmenopause; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D063189:Symptom Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D004967:Estrogens