'I presumed the pain would eventually get better by itself'; challenges with access to rehabilitation for upper limb dysfunction after breast cancer treatment - descriptive and qualitative findings from a cross-sectional survey
File(s)1-s2.0-S0748798324006437-main.pdf (917.77 KB)
Published version
Author(s)
Johnson, Marie-Clare
McGregor, Alison Hazel
A'Hern, Roger
Leff, Daniel Richard
Wells, Mary
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
PURPOSE: Sixty percent of breast cancer patients develop persistent upper limb pain and dysfunction, but only limited knowledge exists about how these symptoms relate to rehabilitation access. METHODS: A postal survey was sent to patients treated at a London University Teaching Hospital (2018-2020). Data were collected on pain (Pain Detect), shoulder function (Disability of Shoulder Arm and Hand (DASH)), quality-of-life (QoL) (EQ-5D-5L), and clinical characteristics, including treatment and access to rehabilitation. The free-text section invited patients' comments on upper limb symptoms and management strategies, which were analysed thematically. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, and the medians were examined with Mann-Whitley U-Tests or Kruskal-Wallis Test. RESULTS: Of 511 patients surveyed, 162 (32 %) questionnaires were returned and analysed. Respondents' mean age was 62 years (SD 11.3). The majority had Sentinel Node Biopsy 71 % (116/162) and mastectomy 61 % (99/162). 73 % (119/162) reported pain. Mean (SD) Pain Detect and DASH Score were respectively 11.07 (7) and 21.7 (21.5), with 51 % recording significant shoulder dysfunction, and only 28 % reporting access to rehabilitation. Individuals with neuropathic pain had significantly higher median (range) DASH score 60.8 (35.8, 75.0) p = 0.000. Median DASH score for sedentary individuals was significantly higher 22.9 (7.9, 31.8) p = 0.0009. Free-text analysis revealed persistent, progressive symptoms, mixed attitudes towards exercise and variations in access to rehabilitation and support. CONCLUSION: Two years following surgery many patients reported significant upper limb symptoms which adversely impact on QoL. However, approximately two thirds did not access potentially beneficial rehabilitation treatments. There is a need to improve pathways of care.
Date Issued
2024-10
Date Acceptance
2024-08-05
Citation
European Journal of Surgical Oncology, 2024, 50 (10)
ISSN
0748-7983
Publisher
Elsevier
Journal / Book Title
European Journal of Surgical Oncology
Volume
50
Issue
10
Copyright Statement
© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39146662
Subjects
Arm function after breast cancer treatment
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
England
Article Number
108591
Date Publish Online
2024-08-08