Coby Basal1, Emily Vertosick2, Theresa A Gillis3, Qing Li1, Ting Bao1, Andrew Vickers2, Jun J Mao4,5. 1. Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA. 2. Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 485 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY, 10017, USA. 3. Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA. 4. Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA. maoj@mskcc.org. 5. Bendheim Integrative Medicine Center, 1429 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10021, USA. maoj@mskcc.org.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Arthralgia is common among women with breast cancer on adjuvant aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy. Pain is associated with falls in the general population; however, little is known about the relationship between arthralgia and falls among AI users. Our objective was to determine whether joint pain severity and interference predict future falls. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study of postmenopausal women with stage I-III estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer who were prescribed a third-generation AI. Arthralgia symptoms were measured at baseline using a modified version of the Brief Pain Inventory. Fall occurrence was obtained at 24-month follow-up. RESULTS: Among 667 participants (median age 63 years, interquartile range 57-69 years), 232 (35%, 95% CI 31 to 39%) reported falls 12-24 months after baseline. Among women who fell, 65 (28%) reported seeking medical assistance. After controlling for multiple fall risk factors, we found significant non-linear associations between baseline joint pain severity and risk of falls (p = 0.001). Women with joint pain severity scores ≥ 4 had a more than twofold increase in fall risk compared to those without pain (41% vs. 20%). We observed a similar relationship for pain interference and fall risk (p < 0.001). Fewer than half of participants reported having been asked about falls in the past 12 months by their primary care physician (44%) or oncologist (36%). CONCLUSION: Joint pain increases the risk of falls among women with breast cancer on adjuvant AI therapy. Health care providers should evaluate and manage arthralgia symptoms and implement fall-prevention strategies for those who are at increased risk.
PURPOSE:Arthralgia is common among women with breast cancer on adjuvant aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy. Pain is associated with falls in the general population; however, little is known about the relationship between arthralgia and falls among AI users. Our objective was to determine whether joint pain severity and interference predict future falls. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study of postmenopausal women with stage I-III estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer who were prescribed a third-generation AI. Arthralgia symptoms were measured at baseline using a modified version of the Brief Pain Inventory. Fall occurrence was obtained at 24-month follow-up. RESULTS: Among 667 participants (median age 63 years, interquartile range 57-69 years), 232 (35%, 95% CI 31 to 39%) reported falls 12-24 months after baseline. Among women who fell, 65 (28%) reported seeking medical assistance. After controlling for multiple fall risk factors, we found significant non-linear associations between baseline joint pain severity and risk of falls (p = 0.001). Women with joint pain severity scores ≥ 4 had a more than twofold increase in fall risk compared to those without pain (41% vs. 20%). We observed a similar relationship for pain interference and fall risk (p < 0.001). Fewer than half of participants reported having been asked about falls in the past 12 months by their primary care physician (44%) or oncologist (36%). CONCLUSION:Joint pain increases the risk of falls among women with breast cancer on adjuvant AI therapy. Health care providers should evaluate and manage arthralgia symptoms and implement fall-prevention strategies for those who are at increased risk.
Entities:
Keywords:
Aromatase inhibitors; Arthralgia; Breast cancer; Fall risk; Falls; Joint pain
Authors: Suzanne G Leveille; Jonathan Bean; Karen Bandeen-Roche; Rich Jones; Marc Hochberg; Jack M Guralnik Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2002-04 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: A Howell; J Cuzick; M Baum; A Buzdar; M Dowsett; J F Forbes; G Hoctin-Boes; J Houghton; G Y Locker; J S Tobias Journal: Lancet Date: 2005 Jan 1-7 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: R C Coombes; L S Kilburn; C F Snowdon; R Paridaens; R E Coleman; S E Jones; J Jassem; C J H Van de Velde; T Delozier; I Alvarez; L Del Mastro; O Ortmann; K Diedrich; A S Coates; E Bajetta; S B Holmberg; D Dodwell; E Mickiewicz; J Andersen; P E Lønning; G Cocconi; J Forbes; M Castiglione; N Stuart; A Stewart; L J Fallowfield; G Bertelli; E Hall; R G Bogle; M Carpentieri; E Colajori; M Subar; E Ireland; J M Bliss Journal: Lancet Date: 2007-02-17 Impact factor: 79.321