Asian Oncol Nurs.  2012 Sep;12(3):221-229. 10.5388/aon.2012.12.3.221.

Correlates Influencing Cognitive Impairment in Breast Cancer Patients receiving Chemotherapy

• Chung BY
• Cho EJ

• KMID: 2269508
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5388/aon.2012.12.3.221

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify correlates influencing cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
METHODS
Study subjects consisted of 102 breast cancer patients who received chemotherapy. Subjects were the members of a breast cancer self-help group. Data were collected using structured self-reporting questionnaires including scales of cognitive impairment, physical status, fatigue, quality of life, emotional status, sleeping, family support, and menopausal symptoms. Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used for statistical analyses.
RESULTS
Breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy appeared to show a high level of cognitive impairment. Among demographic characteristics, the effects of economic status and family type on cognitive impairment were found to be statistically significant. Among disease related characteristics, the effect of duration of chemotherapy on cognitive impairment was statistically significant. Menopausal symptoms were positively associated with cognitive impairment. The model including postmenopausal symptoms and caregiver type explained about 66% of variability in cognitive impairment.
CONCLUSION
These findings highlight the importance of contextual factors in understanding cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and can be used to develop appropriate, effective nursing interventions.

Keyword

Breast Neoplasms; Chemotherapy; Cognitive Impairment

MeSH Terms

Breast
Breast Neoplasms
Caregivers
Fatigue
Humans
Quality of Life
Self-Help Groups
Social Sciences
Weights and Measures
Surveys and Questionnaires

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