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Supportive Care in Cancer
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer 12/2007

01-12-2007 | Original Article

Endocrine symptom assessment in women with breast cancer: what a simple “yes” means

Authors: K. Ribi, J. Bernhard, K. Rufibach, B. Thürlimann, R. von Moos, T. Ruhstaller, A. Glaus, C. Böhme

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 12/2007

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Abstract

Goals of work

To investigate the self-reported symptoms related to endocrine therapy in women with early or advanced breast cancer and the impact of these symptoms on quality of life (QL) indicators.

Materials and methods

Symptom occurrence was assessed by the Checklist for Patients on Endocrine Therapy (C-PET) and symptom intensity was assessed by linear analogue self-assessment (LASA) indicators. Patients also responded to global LASA indicators for physical well-being, mood, coping effort and treatment burden. Associations between symptoms and these indicators were analysed by linear regression models.

Main results

Among 373 women, the distribution of symptom intensity showed considerable variation in patients reporting a symptom as present. Even though patients recorded a symptom as absent, some patients reported having experienced that symptom when responding to symptom intensity, as seen for decreased sex drive, tiredness and vaginal dryness. Six of 13 symptoms and lower age had a detrimental impact on the global indicators, particularly tiredness and irritability.

Conclusions

Patients’ experience of endocrine symptoms needs to be considered both in patient care and research, when interpreting the association between symptoms and QL.
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Metadata
Title
Endocrine symptom assessment in women with breast cancer: what a simple “yes” means
Authors
K. Ribi
J. Bernhard
K. Rufibach
B. Thürlimann
R. von Moos
T. Ruhstaller
A. Glaus
C. Böhme
Publication date
01-12-2007
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 12/2007
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-007-0258-3

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