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Comparative Study
. 2012 Apr;20(4):877-81.
doi: 10.1007/s00520-011-1336-0. Epub 2011 Dec 9.

Assessing the impact of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity on the quality of life of cancer patients: the introduction of a new measure

C M L Driessen  1 , K M E de Kleine-Bolt, A J J M Vingerhoets, F Mols, G Vreugdenhil
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Assessing the impact of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity on the quality of life of cancer patients: the introduction of a new measure

C M L Driessen et al. Support Care Cancer. 2012 Apr.

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the impact of chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity on daily activities and quality of life (QoL) of cancer patients.

Methods: QoL of all patients visiting the oncological outpatient ward of the Maxima Medical Centre in the Netherlands from October 2006 until March 2007 treated with taxanes, vinca-alkaloids and/or platinum compounds (n = 88) was compared with the QoL of patients that did not receive these treatments yet (n = 43). Patient-reported neuropathy symptoms were evaluated with the newly developed Chemotherapy Induced Neurotoxicity Questionnaire (CINQ) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynaecologic Oncology Group/Neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG-Ntx) questionnaire.

Results: Patients treated with chemotherapy reported significantly more complaints of neuropathy (p < 0.001) and more paresthesias and dysesthesias in the upper (p < 0.001; p < 0.01) and lower extremities (p < 0.001) compared to those not treated with chemotherapy. They additionally experienced problems with fine motor function (e.g., getting (un)dressed, writing, and picking up small objects). Moreover, cold-induced paresthesias were frequently reported. Overall, patients indicated that their neuropathy had a negative effect on QoL.

Conclusions: The newly developed CINQ and the FACT/GOG-Ntx results suggest a considerable negative impact of patient-reported neuropathy symptoms on daily activities and QoL in cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. However, further validation of the CINQ is needed.

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