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

Abstract

Objective 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. Methods 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. Results 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. Conclusions 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.