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Supportive Care in Cancer

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01-10-2018 | Original Article

The association between fatigue and pain symptoms and decreased physical activity after cancer

Authors: Sally A. D. Romero, Lee Jones, Joshua M. Bauml, Q. Susan Li, Roger B. Cohen, Jun J. Mao

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 10/2018

Abstract

Purpose

Patients with cancer frequently experience symptoms such as fatigue and pain that can influence their ability to maintain their usual physical activity (PA). This study aimed to evaluate whether symptoms of fatigue and pain are associated with decreased PA among patients with cancer.

Methods

We recruited patients with a cancer diagnosis from one academic medical center and 11 affiliated community hospitals to participate in a cross-sectional survey. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the association between symptoms, demographics, and clinical characteristics and decreased PA since cancer diagnosis.

Results

Among 629 participants, 499 (79%) reported a decreased level of PA since their cancer diagnosis. In the past 7 days from the time of the survey, 78% of participants reported moderate to very severe fatigue, and 68% reported a pain level 4 or greater on a scale of 0 to 10. Adjusted for covariates, patients with fatigue (Adjusted Odds Ratio, AOR 4.01, 95% CI 2.41–6.65) and pain (AOR 1.89, 95% CI 1.14–3.12) had higher odds of reporting decreased PA since diagnosis. Receipt of chemotherapy or currently receiving active cancer treatment was also associated with decreased PA (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Fatigue and pain are associated with decreased PA among patients with cancer, even after adjusting for cancer treatment. Interventions focused on managing these symptoms may help promote maintenance of PA throughout cancer treatment and beyond.

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Title: The association between fatigue and pain symptoms and decreased physical activity after cancer
Authors: Sally A. D. Romero
Lee Jones
Joshua M. Bauml
Q. Susan Li
Roger B. Cohen
Jun J. Mao
Publication date: 01-10-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 10/2018
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4203-4

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