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Cancer and treatment-related symptoms are associated with mobility disability in women with ovarian cancer: A cross-sectional study
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Cancer and treatment-related symptoms are associated with mobility disability in women with ovarian cancer: A cross-sectional study

Grace Campbell, Teresa Hagan, Stephanie Gilbertson-White, Martin Houze and Heidi Donovan
Gynecologic oncology, Vol.143(3), pp.578-583
12/2016
DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2016.09.013
PMCID: PMC5116395
PMID: 27653982
url
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygyno.2016.09.013View
Open Access

Abstract

To examine the prevalence of symptom-related mobility disability and identify specific symptoms and other factors associated with mobility disability among a national sample of ovarian cancer (OC) survivors. Descriptive, correlational secondary analysis of a National Ovarian Cancer Coalition mailed survey of women with a history of OC (n=713). We used the Symptom Representation Questionnaire (SRQ), the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI) Interference Scale, and medical and demographic information to determine prevalence of symptom-related mobility disability. We constructed a multiple linear regression model to determine the relative contributions of specific symptoms and other factors to mobility disability. A majority of the sample (60.0%) reported symptom-related mobility disability. Independent predictors included: > one comorbidity (β=0.112, p=0.001), active OC (β=0.111, p=0.037), abdominal bloating (β=0.097, p=0.006), fatigue (β=0.314, p<0.001), lack of appetite (β=0.072, p=0.045), numbness/tingling (β=0.134, p<0.001), and pain (β=0.194, p<0.001). The model explained 41.5% of the variance in symptom-related mobility disability (R2=0.415). Unexpectedly, age (β=−0.028, p=0.412) and current chemotherapy (β=0.107, p=0.118) were not significant predictors. Symptom-related mobility disability is common among women with OC and is associated with medical comorbidities, abdominal bloating, fatigue, lack of appetite, numbness/tingling, and pain. Longitudinal research should clarify the relationship of these symptoms to mobility disability and determine whether effective symptom management minimizes disability. •Mobility disability is endorsed by over half of women with ovarian cancer.•Poor appetite, bloating, fatigue, pain, numbness correlate with disability.•Clinicians should assess for mobility disability in women with ovarian cancer.
Disability Mobility Symptom assessment Physical function Ovarian cancer

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