Kate Webber1, Elisa Carolus2, Linda Mileshkin3, Dirkje Sommeijer4, Jessica McAlpine5, Sarah Bladgen6, Robert L Coleman7, Thomas J Herzog8, Jalid Sehouli9, Sara Nasser9, Guelhan Inci9, Michael Friedlander10. 1. Department of Oncology, Monash Health, and School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Prince of Wales Clinical School UNSW, and Department of Medical Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: kate.webber@monash.edu. 2. National Health and Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. 3. Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. 4. Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 5. University of British Columbia, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Vancouver, Canada. 6. University of Oxford, Department of Oncology, Oxford, UK. 7. Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States. 8. University of Cincinnati Cancer Institute, Dept. of Ob/Gyn, University of Cincinnati, United States. 9. Medical University of Berlin, Charité Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCCC), Berlin, Germany. 10. Prince of Wales Clinical School UNSW, and Department of Medical Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to investigate the prevalence and potential risk factors for persistent and troublesome physical and psychological symptoms following treatment for ovarian cancer (OC). METHODS: OvQuest is an international, internet-based, cross-sectional questionnaire which explored symptom burden and quality of life (QOL) after treatment for OC. Eligible women were aged 18 and over, diagnosed with OC at least 6 months previously and had received chemotherapy. Self-report data were collected including demographics, diagnosis and treatment, and standardised instruments for treatment-related toxicities, QOL, physical activity (PA) and supportive care needs. RESULTS: The survey included 1360 patients, of whom 421 (31%) had been treated for recurrent OC. 78% reported symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, 60% significant fatigue, 48% mood disturbance and 59% moderate-severe insomnia. Rates of fatigue, mood disorders, neuropathy and insomnia did not differ between women with or without recurrence. The majority of respondents were overweight or obese (high BMI, 59%) and 35% reported low PA. Low PA and high BMI were associated with poorer QOL scores and higher symptom burden across a range of domains. CONCLUSION: Women living after a diagnosis of OC report a substantial and ongoing symptom burden which impacts significantly on their quality of life across multiple domains. The reported associations between obesity, physical inactivity and poor QOL warrant prospective evaluation of lifestyle interventions to improve QOL.
OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to investigate the prevalence and potential risk factors for persistent and troublesome physical and psychological symptoms following treatment for ovarian cancer (OC). METHODS: OvQuest is an international, internet-based, cross-sectional questionnaire which explored symptom burden and quality of life (QOL) after treatment for OC. Eligible women were aged 18 and over, diagnosed with OC at least 6 months previously and had received chemotherapy. Self-report data were collected including demographics, diagnosis and treatment, and standardised instruments for treatment-related toxicities, QOL, physical activity (PA) and supportive care needs. RESULTS: The survey included 1360 patients, of whom 421 (31%) had been treated for recurrent OC. 78% reported symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, 60% significant fatigue, 48% mood disturbance and 59% moderate-severe insomnia. Rates of fatigue, mood disorders, neuropathy and insomnia did not differ between women with or without recurrence. The majority of respondents were overweight or obese (high BMI, 59%) and 35% reported low PA. Low PA and high BMI were associated with poorer QOL scores and higher symptom burden across a range of domains. CONCLUSION:Women living after a diagnosis of OC report a substantial and ongoing symptom burden which impacts significantly on their quality of life across multiple domains. The reported associations between obesity, physical inactivity and poor QOL warrant prospective evaluation of lifestyle interventions to improve QOL.
Authors: Stephanie Stelten; Christelle Schofield; Yvonne A W Hartman; Pedro Lopez; Gemma G Kenter; Robert U Newton; Daniel A Galvão; Meeke Hoedjes; Dennis R Taaffe; Luc R C W van Lonkhuijzen; Carolyn McIntyre; Laurien M Buffart Journal: Cancers (Basel) Date: 2022-09-20 Impact factor: 6.575