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. 2016 Dec;143(3):578-583.
doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2016.09.013. Epub 2016 Sep 18.

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

Grace Campbell  1 , Teresa Hagan  2 , Stephanie Gilbertson-White  3 , Martin Houze  4 , Heidi Donovan  5
Affiliations

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

Grace Campbell et al. Gynecol Oncol. 2016 Dec.

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.

Keywords: Disability; Mobility; Ovarian cancer; Physical function; Symptom assessment.

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