Characterizing cancer-related cognitive impairments and impact on quality of life in women with metastatic breast cancer.

Purpose: Little is known about cancer-related cognitive impairments (CRCI) in women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The purpose of this study is to (1) comprehensively describe CRCI and any associated psychosocial and behavioral symptoms, (2) determine observable sociodemographic and clinical risk factors for CRCI, and (3) explore cognitive and psychosocial predictors of quality of life and social functioning in women living with MBC.
Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, women with MBC completed assessments (objective and subjective measures of CRCI including 3 open-ended questions, measures of psychosocial and behavioral factors, and assessments of quality of life and social function), and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, qualitative content analysis, correlation analyses, t tests, analysis of variance, and linear regression models.
Results: Data from 52 women were analyzed. 69.2% of the sample reported clinically significant CRCI and 46% of the sample scored < 1 standard deviation below the standardized mean on one or more cognitive tests. Those with triple-negative MBC (compared to HER2+), recurrent MBC (compared to de novo), and no history of chemotherapy had worse subjective CRCI, and those without history of surgery and older age had worse objective CRCI. Subjective CRCI, but not objective CRCI, was significantly associated with quality of life and social functioning.
Conclusion: Subjective and objective CRCI are likely a common problem for those with MBC. Subjective CRCI is associated with poorer quality of life and lower social functioning. Healthcare providers should acknowledge cognitive symptoms, continually assess cognitive function, and address associated unmet needs across the MBC trajectory.
Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interest: R.C.M. is a co-founder of KeyWise AI, Inc. and a co-founder of NeuroUX. The terms of this arrangement have been reviewed and approved by UC San Diego in accordance with its conflict-of-interest policies. A.M.H is a consultant for Prodeo, Inc. The terms of this arrangement have been reviewed and approved by University of Texas at Austin in accordance with its conflict-of-interest policies. Ethical approval: This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The University of Texas at Austin Institutional Review Board reviewed and monitored all study related procedures (STUDY00002393). Consent to participate: Participants provided informed written consent. Consent for publication: Not Applicable.
(© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)