Thaddeus W W Pace1,2,3, Terry A Badger1,4,3, Chris Segrin5, Alla Sikorskii1,6, Tracy E Crane3,7,8,9. 1. Division of Community and Systems Health Science, College of Nursing, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA. 2. Department of Psychology, College of Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA. 3. University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ, USA. 4. Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA. 5. Department of Communication, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA. 6. Department of Psychiatry, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA. 7. Division of Biobehavioral Healthscience, College of Nursing, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA. 8. Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA. 9. Department of Nutrition Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
Abstract
Introduction: To date, no study has explored associations between objective stress-related biomarkers (i.e., inflammatory markers, diurnal rhythm of cortisol) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Latina breast cancer survivors and their informal caregivers (i.e., family, friends). Method: This cross-sectional feasibility study assessed saliva C-reactive protein, saliva diurnal cortisol rhythm (cortisol slope), and self-reported HRQOL (psychological, physical, and social domains) in 22 Latina survivor-caregiver dyads. Feasibility was defined as ≥85% samples collected over 2 days (on waking, in afternoon, and in evening). Associations between biomarkers and HRQOL were examined with correlational analyses. Results: Collection of saliva was feasible. Strongest associations were observed between survivor evening cortisol (as well as cortisol slope) and fatigue, a component of physical HRQOL. Discussion: Associations presented may help promote investigations of mechanisms linking stress-related biomarkers and HRQOL in Latina breast cancer survivor-caregiver dyads, which will facilitate development of culturally congruent interventions for this underserved group.
Introduction: To date, no study has explored associations between objective stress-related biomarkers (i.e., inflammatory markers, diurnal rhythm of cortisol) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Latina breast cancer survivors and their informal caregivers (i.e., family, friends). Method: This cross-sectional feasibility study assessed saliva C-reactive protein, saliva diurnal cortisol rhythm (cortisol slope), and self-reported HRQOL (psychological, physical, and social domains) in 22 Latina survivor-caregiver dyads. Feasibility was defined as ≥85% samples collected over 2 days (on waking, in afternoon, and in evening). Associations between biomarkers and HRQOL were examined with correlational analyses. Results: Collection of saliva was feasible. Strongest associations were observed between survivor evening cortisol (as well as cortisol slope) and fatigue, a component of physical HRQOL. Discussion: Associations presented may help promote investigations of mechanisms linking stress-related biomarkers and HRQOL in Latina breast cancer survivor-caregiver dyads, which will facilitate development of culturally congruent interventions for this underserved group.
Entities:
Keywords:
Latinas; biomarkers; breast cancer survivors; cortisol; health-related quality of life; inflammation; informal caregivers