DISABILITY, PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS WITH ARM LYMPHEDEMA

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess disability, psychological distress and quality of life inPolish breast cancer survivors with arm lymphedema. One thousand sets of questionnairesconsisting of WHO-DAS II, GHQ-30, EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 were sent to members ofthe Polish Federation of Breast Cancer Survivors Clubs “Amazonki.” The response rate was28.3% of whom 31.70% reported arm lymphedema. The WHO-DAS II survey showed thatpatients with arm lymphedema had a higher overall disability score (45.04 versus 38.80 in groupwithout arm lymphedema; p=0.01) and higher mean values in the scales of understanding andcommunicating, getting around, life activities at home, getting along with people, participatingin society. The EORTC QLQ-C30 survey showed that patients with lymphedema had lower meanvalues in physical (0.55 versus 0.65; p=0.001), emotional (0.47 versus 0.57; p=0.01), social(0.59 versus 0.73; p=0.002), cognitive and role functioning, increased fatigue, pain, insomnia,dyspnea, nausea/vomiting and financial problems. The EORTC QLQ-BR23 data demonstratedworse future perspectives and an increase in breast and arm symptoms, and the GHQ-30 surveyproduced higher psychological distress (scores 15.18 versus 11.24; p=0.004).In conclusion, breast cancer survivors with arm lymphedema were more disabled,experienced a poorer quality of life and had increased psychological distress in comparison tosurvivors without this condition.