title: Assessment of Cognitive Impairment and Complaints in Individuals With Colorectal Cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess cognitive function in individuals with colorectal cancer (CRC) and identify factors associated with cognitive effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional, comparative design. .
  
  
  METHODS
  Midwest hospital. .
  
  
  METHODS
  Men and women with (n = 50) and without (n = 50) CRC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Comparative and regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between cognition and CRC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Attention, cognitive control, and memory function were assessed with neuropsychological tests and self-report. .
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to healthy volunteers, individuals with CRC performed worse and reported more problems on tasks requiring attention and cognitive control (p < 0.05). After controlling for covariates, poorer performance on tasks of attention and cognitive control was associated (p < 0.001) with having CRC, older age, and less education. In contrast, poorer perceived attention and cognitive control were associated (p < 0.001) with greater fatigue but not CRC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Individuals with CRC are vulnerable to cognitive problems. In addition, older age, less education, and fatigue can increase risk for worse cognitive performance and self-reported cognition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cognitive problems can profoundly affect an individual's ability to function in everyday life and cope with cancer. Nurses should assess for cognitive problems in patients with CRC and intervene to reduce distress.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
authors.forename: Moira A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Visovatti
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Reuter-Lorenz
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
authors.forename: Alfred E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
authors.forename: Laurel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Northouse
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
authors.forename: Bernadine
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cimprich
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: cognitive; colorectal cancer; survivorship