Relationships of Lymphedema, the Shoulder Range of Motion, Fatigue and Social Support to the Health Related Quality of Life in Patients with Breast Cancer.
10.4048/jbc.2010.13.2.212
- Author:
Eun Hyun LEE
1
;
Seongmi MOON
;
Yeongsuk SONG
;
Mison CHUN
Author Information
1. Graduate School of Public Health, Ajou University, Suwon, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Breast neoplasms;
Fatigue;
Quality of life
- MeSH:
Arm;
Breast;
Breast Neoplasms;
Fatigue;
Humans;
Lymphedema;
Quality of Life;
Range of Motion, Articular;
Shoulder;
Surveys and Questionnaires
- From:Journal of Breast Cancer
2010;13(2):212-218
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the variables that are associated with the health related quality of life (HRQOL) for patients with breast cancer. METHODS: A total of 112 subjects were recruited from a cancer center at a university hospital by using convenience sampling. The subjects were asked to complete questionnaires about HRQOL, fatigue and social support (family and medical team support). A trained research assistant then measured the subjects' shoulder range of motion (ROM) and the arm parameters for lymphedema. The data was analyzed using t-tests, Mann-Whitney tests, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient and hierarchical multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The HRQOL was strongly correlated with fatigue (r=-0.80, p<0.01). It was also positively correlated with family support (r=0.57, p<0.01) and medical team support (r=0.33, p<0.01). The HRQOL was significantly lower for the patients who had limited shoulder rotation. Fatigue and family support together explained 65% of the variance in the HRQOL for the patients with breast cancer, after controlling for education and income. Of them, fatigue uniquely explained 32% of the variance in the HRQOL. CONCLUSION: Fatigue was the strong predictor of the HRQOL. This result suggests that fatigue might be primary managed for improving the HRQOL of patients with breast cancer.
