Algofunctional status in Belgian women one year after completion of therapy for breast cancer

Abstract

Purpose.- The world health organization advices the use of the international classification of functioning disability and health as a basis for common language and concepts for the health professionals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the disability and health status after treatment for breast cancer (i.e. body function and structure, activity, participation). Patients and methods.- Patients receiving radiotherapy after breast cancer were followed for one year. Functioning status were assessed before (T0), at the end of the radiotherapy (T1), and after three (T3), six (T6) and twelve months (T12). Body structure and function were assessed by means of: the pain threshold test, the isokinetic measurement of maximal torque for knee flexors and extensors, the maximal power and the heart rate on ergometric bicycle and questionnaires (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, Fatigue Severity Scale and Tampa scale for kinesiophobia). Activity and participation were assessed by three functional scales of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) [2]: Physical functioning, Emotional status, Cognitive status, Social relationships, Capability of assuming functions and roles. The proportion of patients returning to work was also evaluated. Results.- Eighteen patients completed all evaluations during one year. After the end of the follow-up, patients had a poor muscle performance and a low endurance on ergometric bicycle. They also had bilaterally a low pain threshold for the upper limb. Patients were not significantly depressed but had high level of fatigue and kinesiophobia. Social relationships and capability for function and roles improved gradually over the one-year period. However, 25% of the patients did not return to work. Conclusion.- The patients treated for breast cancer present alterations of body function and activities after one year and deserve rehabilitation and arrangements both for work and everyday life, these findings being confirmed by other authors [1,3].