Cancer and treatment-related symptoms are associated with mobility disability in women with ovarian cancer: A cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of symptom-related mobility disability and identify specific symptoms and other factors associated with mobility disability among a national sample of ovarian cancer (OC) survivors. METHODS: Descriptive, correlational secondary analysis of a National Ovarian Cancer Coalition mailed survey of women with a history of OC (n=713). We used the Symptom Representation Questionnaire (SRQ), the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI) Interference Scale, and medical and demographic information to determine prevalence of symptom-related mobility disability. We constructed a multiple linear regression model to determine the relative contributions of specific symptoms and other factors to mobility disability. RESULTS: A majority of the sample (60.0%) reported symptom-related mobility disability. Independent predictors included > one comorbidity (ß=0.112, p=0.001), active OC (ß=0.111, p=0.037), abdominal bloating (ß=0.097, p=0.006), fatigue (ß=0.314, p<0.001), lack of appetite (ß=0.072, p=0.045), numbness/tingling (ß=0.134, p<0.001), and pain (ß=0.194, p<0.001). The model explained 41.5% of the variance in symptom-related mobility disability (R2=0.415). Unexpectedly, age (ß=-0.028, p=0.412) and current chemotherapy (ß=0.107, p=0.118) were not significant predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Symptom-related mobility disability is common among women with OC and is associated with medical comorbidities, abdominal bloating, fatigue, lack of appetite, numbness/tingling, and pain. Longitudinal research should clarify the relationship of these symptoms to mobility disability and determine whether effective symptom management minimizes disability.