Percutaneous breast biopsy: effect on short-term quality of life.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of percutaneous breast biopsy on short-term quality of life.


METHODS
The institutional review board approved this HIPAA-compliant prospective study. From December 1, 2007, through February 28, 2010, women undergoing percutaneous breast biopsy in an academic medical center were recruited to participate in a mixed-mode survey 2-4 days after biopsy. Patients described their biopsy experience by using the Testing Morbidities Index (TMI), a validated instrument for assessing short-term quality of life related to diagnostic testing. The scale ranged from 0 (worst possible experience) to 100 (no adverse effects). Seven attributes were assessed: pain or discomfort before and during testing, fear or anxiety before and during testing, embarrassment during testing, and physical and mental function after testing. Demographic and clinical information were also collected. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to identify significant predictors of TMI score.


RESULTS
In 188 women (mean age, 51.4 years; range, 22-80 years), the mean TMI score (±standard deviation) was 82 ± 12. Univariate analysis revealed age and race as significant predictors of the TMI score (P < .05). In the multivariate model, only patient age remained a significant independent predictor (P = .001). TMI scores decreased by approximately three points for every decade decrease in patient age, which suggests that younger women were more adversely affected by the biopsy experience.


CONCLUSIONS
Younger patient age is a significant predictor of decreased short-term quality of life related to percutaneous breast biopsy procedures. Tailored prebiopsy counseling may better prepare women for percutaneous biopsy procedures and improve their experience.
From the MGH Institute for Technology Assessment, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass.
Kathryn L
KL
Humphrey
Janie M
JM
Lee
Karen
K
Donelan
Chung Y
CY
Kong
Olubunmi
O
Williams
Omosalewa
O
Itauma
Elkan F
EF
Halpern
Beverly J
BJ
Gerade
Elizabeth A
EA
Rafferty
J Shannon
JS
Swan
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001706:Biopsy / Q000523:psychology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053783:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Interventional; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional