Arm Morbidity and Lymphedema in Women Treated for Breast Cancer---Incidence, Risk Factor and Impact.

This 3-year longitudinal prospective study is a continued and follow-up study of our ongoing study funded by National Science Council: 「Prevalence, Time Course, Impact and Risk Factors of Symptoms after Breast Cancer Surgery: An International Collaboration Study」. This ongoing study was proposed to be executed in a three-year period but was only funded for 2 years.We have recruited 200 subjects in this ongoing study, and the current proposal is to continue recruiting subject in our ongoing study to 480. In addition to the study aims of the ongoing study which focused on neuropathic pain, the current project will focus on studying arm morbidity and lymphedema. The specific aims are to: (1) determine the prevalence, severity and time course of arm morbidity after breast cancer treatment, (2) determine the incidence, severity, and time course of LE after breast cancer treatment, (3) determine the impact of LE on mood disturbance, fatigue, sleep disturbance, functional interference, and quality of life in women treated for breast cancer, and (4) identify the risk factors predicting the development of LE. In the ongoing study, patients were followed for one year after breast cancer surgery. In the current 3-year project, we plan to prolong the follow-up time from 1 year to 2-5 years depending on when the subject is enrolled. After one year intensive follow-up (every month for six months and every two months for the next six months), patients will be followed every 6 months. At each time point, subjects will be evaluated for symptoms and outcome variables. Subjective measures of symptoms including Breast Symptom Questionnaire, Pain QualityAssessment, and Norman Questionnaire. Objective measures of symptoms/arm morbidity include sensory examination, arm circumference, arm volume, bio-impedance, grip strength, shoulder range of motion. Outcome variables include interference of daily function, anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and quality of life. To assess the risk factor, demographic and disease/treatment related information will be collected through patient information form and chart-review. Survival function, linear mixed effect model and logistic regression will be use to analyze the study data.

Project ID:PC9609-4323
External Project ID:NSC96-2628-B182-032