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. 2023 Jun 2;28(6):e317-e323.
doi: 10.1093/oncolo/oyad027.

Physical Function and Physical Activity in Older Breast Cancer Survivors: 5-Year Follow-Up from the Climb Every Mountain Study

Annelieke A Lemij  1   2 , Gerrit Jan Liefers  2 , Marloes G M Derks  1 , Esther Bastiaannet  1   2 , Marta Fiocco  3 , Titia E Lans  4 , Carmen C van der Pol  5 , Annelie J E Vulink  6 , Leander van Gerven  7 , Onno R Guicherit  8 , Eugenie M H Linthorst-Niers  9 , Jos W S Merkus  10 , Thijs van Dalen  11 , Johanneke E A Portielje  1 , Nienke A de Glas  1
Affiliations

Physical Function and Physical Activity in Older Breast Cancer Survivors: 5-Year Follow-Up from the Climb Every Mountain Study

Annelieke A Lemij et al. Oncologist. .

Abstract

Background: A decline in physical activity and the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) could interfere with independent living and quality of life in older patients, but may be prevented with tailored interventions. The aim of the current study was to assess changes in physical activity and ADL/IADL in the first 5 years after breast cancer diagnosis in a real-world cohort of older patients and to identify factors associated with physical decline.

Methods: Patients aged ≥70 years with in situ or stages I-III breast cancer were included in the prospective Climb Every Mountain cohort study. Linear mixed models were used to assess physical activity (according to Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) hours per week) and ADL/IADL (according to the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale (GARS)) over time. Secondly, the association with geriatric characteristics, treatment, quality of life, depression, apathy, and loneliness was analyzed.

Results: A total of 239 patients were included. Physical activity and ADL/IADL changed in the first 5 years after diagnosis (mean change from baseline -11.6 and +4.2, respectively). Geriatric characteristics at baseline were strongly associated with longitudinal change in physical activity and ADL/IADL, whereas breast cancer treatment was not. A better quality of life was associated with better physical activity and preservation of ADL/IADL, while depression and loneliness were negatively associated with these outcomes.

Discussion: Geriatric characteristics, loneliness, and depressive symptoms were associated with physical decline in older patients with breast cancer, while breast cancer treatment was not.

Keywords: breast cancer; functional status; geriatric assessment; older patients; physical activity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Physical activity (A) and ADL/IADL dependency (B) during 5-year follow-up.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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