Trajectories of fear of recurrence in women with breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Although fear of recurrence (FCR) is common among cancer survivors, it remains unclear what factors predict initial levels (e.g., prior to surgery) or changes in FCR in the post-treatment period. Among women treated for breast cancer, this study evaluated the effects of demographic, clinical, symptom, and psychosocial adjustment characteristics on the initial (preoperative) levels of FCR and trajectories of FCR over 6 months following surgery. METHODS: Prior to and for 6 months following breast cancer surgery, 396 women were assessed for demographic and clinical (disease and treatment) characteristics, symptoms, psychological adjustment characteristics, and quality of life (QOL). FCR was assessed using a four-item subscale from the QOL instrument. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to examine changes in FCR scores and to identify predictors of inter-individual differences in preoperative FCR levels and trajectories over 6 months. RESULTS: From before surgery to 6 months post-operatively, women with breast cancer showed a high degree of inter-individual variability in FCR. Preoperatively, women who lived with someone, experienced greater changes in spiritual life, had higher state anxiety, had more difficulty coping, or experienced more distress due to diagnosis or distress to family members reported higher FCR scores. Patients who reported better overall physical health and higher FCR scores at enrollment demonstrated a steeper decrease in FCR scores over time. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight inter-individual heterogeneity in initial levels and changes in FCR over time among women undergoing breast cancer surgery. Further work is needed to identify and provide interventions for women experiencing FCR during and after breast cancer treatment.

Cytokine gene variations associated with trait and state anxiety in oncology patients and their family caregivers.

PURPOSE: Anxiety is common among cancer patients and their family caregivers (FCs) and is associated with poorer outcomes. Recently, associations between inflammation and anxiety were identified. However, the relationship between variations in cytokine genes and anxiety warrants investigation. Therefore, phenotypic and genotypic characteristics associated with trait and state anxiety were evaluated in a sample of 167 oncology patients with breast, prostate, lung, or brain cancer and 85 of their FCs. METHODS: Using multiple regression analyses, the associations between participants' demographic and clinical characteristics as well as variations in cytokine genes and trait and state anxiety were evaluated. RESULTS: In the bivariate analyses, a number of phenotypic characteristics were associated with both trait and state anxiety (e.g., age, functional status). However, some associations were specific only to trait anxiety (e.g., number of comorbid conditions) or state anxiety (e.g., participation with a FC). Variations in three cytokine genes (i.e., interleukin (IL) 1 beta, IL1 receptor 2 (IL1R2), nuclear factor kappa beta 2 (NFKB2)) were associated with trait anxiety, and variations in two genes (i.e., IL1R2, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFA)) were associated with state anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that both trait and state anxiety need to be assessed in oncology patients and their FCs. Furthermore, variations in cytokine genes may contribute to higher levels of anxiety in oncology patients and their FCs.

Disease and treatment characteristics do not predict symptom occurrence profiles in oncology outpatients receiving chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: A large amount of interindividual variability exists in the occurrence of symptoms in patients receiving chemotherapy (CTX). The purposes of the current study, which was performed in a sample of 582 oncology outpatients who were receiving CTX, were to identify subgroups of patients based on their distinct experiences with 25 commonly occurring symptoms and to identify demographic and clinical characteristics associated with subgroup membership. In addition, differences in quality of life outcomes were evaluated. METHODS: Oncology outpatients with breast, gastrointestinal, gynecological, or lung cancer completed the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale before their next cycle of CTX. Latent class analysis was used to identify subgroups of patients with distinct symptom experiences. RESULTS: Three distinct subgroups of patients were identified (ie, 36.1% in Low class; 50.0% in Moderate class, and 13.9% in All High class). Patients in the All High class were significantly younger and more likely to be female and nonwhite, and had lower levels of social support, lower socioeconomic status, poorer functional status, and a higher level of comorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from the current study support the clinical observation that some oncology patients experience a differentially higher symptom burden during CTX. These high-risk patients experience significant decrements in quality of life.

Association between an interleukin 1 receptor, type I promoter polymorphism and self-reported attentional function in women with breast cancer.

Subgroups of patients with breast cancer may be at greater risk for cytokine-induced changes in cognitive function after diagnosis and during treatment. The purposes of this study were to identify subgroups of patients with distinct trajectories of attentional function and evaluate for phenotypic and genotypic (i.e., cytokine gene polymorphisms) predictors of subgroup membership. Self-reported attentional function was evaluated in 397 patients with breast cancer using the Attentional Function Index before surgery and for six months after surgery (i.e., seven time points). Using growth mixture modeling, three attentional function latent classes were identified: High (41.6%), Moderate (25.4%), and Low-moderate (33.0%). Patients in the Low-moderate class were significantly younger than those in the High class, with more comorbidities and lower functional status than the other two classes. No differences were found among the classes in years of education, race/ethnicity, or other clinical characteristics. DNA was recovered from 302 patients' samples. Eighty-two single nucleotide polymorphisms among 15 candidate genes were included in the genetic association analyses. After controlling for age, comorbidities, functional status, and population stratification due to race/ethnicity, IL1R1 rs949963 remained a significant genotypic predictor of class membership in the multivariable model. Carrying the rare "A" allele (i.e., GA+AA) was associated with a twofold increase in the odds of belonging to a lower attentional function class (OR: 1.98; 95% CI: 1.18, 3.30; p=.009). Findings provide evidence of subgroups of women with breast cancer who report distinct trajectories of attentional function and of a genetic association between subgroup membership and an IL1R1 promoter polymorphism.

Variations in potassium channel genes are associated with breast pain in women prior to breast cancer surgery.

Preoperative breast pain in women with breast cancer may result from a number of causes. Previous work from our team found that breast pain occurred in 28.2% of women (n = 398) who were about to undergo breast cancer surgery. The occurrence of preoperative breast pain was associated with a number of demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as variation in two cytokine genes. Given that ion channels regulate excitability of sensory neurons, we hypothesized that variations in potassium channel genes would be associated with preoperative breast pain in these patients. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated for associations between single-nucleotide polymorphisms and inferred haplotypes among 10 potassium channel genes and the occurrence of preoperative breast pain in patients scheduled to undergo breast cancer surgery. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify those genetic variations that were associated with the occurrence of preoperative breast pain while controlling for age and genomic estimates of and self-reported race/ethnicity. Variations in four potassium channel genes: (1) potassium voltage-gated channel, delayed rectifier, subfamily S, member 1 (KCNS1); (2) potassium inwardly rectifying channel, subfamily J, member 3 (KCNJ3); (3) KCNJ6; and (4) potassium channel, subfamily K, member 9 (KCNK9) were associated with the occurrence of breast pain. Findings from this study warrant replication in an independent sample of women who report breast pain following one or more breast biopsies.

Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms in Women Prior to and for Six Months After Breast Cancer Surgery.

Depressive symptoms are common in women with breast cancer. This study evaluated how ratings of depressive symptoms changed from the time of the preoperative assessment to 6 months after surgery and investigated whether specific demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics predicted preoperative levels of and/or characteristics of the trajectories of depressive symptoms. Characteristics that predicted higher preoperative levels of depressive symptoms included being married/partnered; receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy; more fear of metastasis; higher levels of trait anxiety, state anxiety, sleep disturbance, problems with changes in appetite; more hours per day in pain; and lower levels of attentional function. Future studies need to evaluate associations between anxiety, fears of recurrence, and uncertainty, as well as personality characteristics and depressive symptoms.

Association between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine genes and a symptom cluster of pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression.

Because multiple symptoms associated with "sickness behavior" have a negative impact on functional status and quality of life, increased information on the mechanisms that underlie inter-individual variability in this symptom experience is needed. The purposes of this study were to determine: if distinct classes of individuals could be identified based on their experience with pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression; if these classes differed on demographic and clinical characteristics; and if variations in pro- and anti- inflammatory cytokine genes were associated with latent class membership. Self-report measures of pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression were completed by 168 oncology outpatients and 85 family caregivers (FCs). Using latent class profile analysis (LCPA), three relatively distinct classes were identified: those who reported low depression and low pain (83%), those who reported high depression and low pain (4.7%), and those who reported high levels of all four symptoms (12.3%). The minor allele of IL4 rs2243248 was associated with membership in the "All high" class along with younger age, being White, being a patient (versus a FC), having a lower functional status score, and having a higher number of comorbid conditions. Findings suggest that LPCA can be used to differentiate distinct phenotypes based on a symptom cluster associated with sickness behavior. Identification of distinct phenotypes provides new evidence for the role of IL4 in the modulation of a sickness behavior symptom cluster in oncology patients and their FCs.

Identification of distinct subgroups of breast cancer patients based on self-reported changes in sleep disturbance.

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to identify distinct subgroups of patients based on self-reported sleep disturbance prior to through 6 months after breast cancer surgery and evaluate for differences in demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics among these latent classes. METHODS: Women (n = 398) who underwent unilateral breast cancer surgery were enrolled prior to surgery. Patients completed measures of functional status, sleep disturbance (i.e., General Sleep Disturbance Scale (GSDS); higher scores indicate higher levels of sleep disturbance), fatigue, attentional fatigue, depressive symptoms, and anxiety prior to surgery and monthly for 6 months. RESULTS: Three distinct classes of sleep disturbance trajectories were identified using growth mixture modeling. The high sustained class (55.0%) had high and the low sustained class (39.7%) had low GSDS scores prior to surgery that persisted for 6 months. The decreasing class (5.3%) had high GSDS score prior to surgery that decreased over time. Women in the high sustained class were significantly younger, had more comorbidity and poorer function, and were more likely to report hot flashes compared to the low sustained class. More women who underwent mastectomy or breast reconstruction were in the decreasing class. Decreasing and high sustained classes reported higher levels of physical fatigue, attentional fatigue, depressive symptoms, and anxiety compared to the low sustained class. CONCLUSIONS: A high percentage of women has significant sleep disturbance prior to surgery that persists during subsequent treatments (i.e., radiation therapy and chemotherapy). Clinicians need to perform routine assessments and initiate appropriate interventions to improve sleep prior to and following surgery.

Changes in symptom clusters in patients undergoing radiation therapy.

GOALS OF WORK: The goals of the study were to determine the occurrence rates for and the severity of symptoms at the middle, end, and 1 month after the completion of radiation therapy (RT), to determine the number and types of symptom clusters at these three time points, and to evaluate for changes over time in these symptom clusters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Symptom occurrence and severity were evaluated using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS) in a sample of patients (n = 160) who underwent RT for breast or prostate cancer. At each time point, an exploratory factor analysis was done to determine the number of symptom clusters (i.e., symptom factors) based on the MSAS symptom severity ratings. MAIN RESULTS: The majority of the patients were male and married with a mean age of 61.1 years. The five symptoms with the highest occurrence rates across all three time points were lack of energy, pain, difficulty sleeping, feeling drowsy, and sweats. Although the number of symptoms and the specific symptoms within each symptom cluster were not identical across the three time points, three relatively similar symptom clusters (i.e., "mood-cognitive" symptom cluster, "sickness-behavior" symptom cluster, "treatment-related", or "pain" symptom cluster) were identified in this sample. The internal consistency coefficients for the mood-cognitive symptom cluster and sickness-behavior symptom cluster were adequate at > or =0.68. CONCLUSIONS: Three relatively stable symptom clusters were found across RT. The majority of the symptom cluster severity scores were significantly higher in patients with breast cancer compared to patients with prostate cancer.

Preliminary evidence of a genetic association between tumor necrosis factor alpha and the severity of sleep disturbance and morning fatigue.

Although fatigue and sleep disturbance are prevalent symptoms in oncology patients and their family caregivers, little is known about the factors that contribute to interindividual variability in symptom severity ratings as well as in their underlying biological mechanisms. In this study, we sought to determine whether a functional genetic variation in a prominent proinflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFA-308G>A [rs1800629] promoter polymorphism) was associated with overall ratings of sleep disturbance and fatigue as well as with the trajectories of these symptoms. Over 6 months, participants completed standardized measures of sleep disturbance and fatigue. Multiple linear regression was used to assess the effect of the TNFA genotype and other covariates on mean sleep disturbance and fatigue scores. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to determine the effect of TNFA genotype on the trajectories of these symptoms. Common allele homozygotes reported higher levels of sleep disturbance (p=.09) and morning fatigue (p=.02) than minor allele carriers. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that age and genotype were predictors of both mean symptom scores and the trajectories of these symptoms. Findings provide preliminary evidence of an association between a functional promoter polymorphism in the TNFA gene and the severity of sleep disturbance and morning fatigue in oncology patients and their family caregivers.

Trajectories of fatigue in family caregivers of patients undergoing radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

Predictors of and trajectories for evening and morning fatigue were evaluated in family caregivers of oncology patients using hierarchical linear modeling. Evening fatigue trajectory fit a quadratic model. Predictors included baseline sleep disturbances in family caregivers and baseline evening fatigue in patients. Morning fatigue trajectory fit a linear model. Predictors were baseline trait anxiety, levels of perceived family support, and baseline morning fatigue in patients. Findings suggest considerable inter-individual variability in the trajectories of evening and morning fatigue. Evaluating family caregivers for sleep disturbance, anxiety, and poor family support, as well as high levels of patient fatigue, could identify those family caregivers at highest risk for sustained fatigue trajectories.

Trajectories of fatigue in men with prostate cancer before, during, and after radiation therapy.

Fatigue is the most common and distressing symptom reported by patients undergoing radiation therapy (RT). However, limited information is available on the trajectories of fatigue, as well as on the predictors of interindividual variability in fatigue. This study evaluated a sample of patients who underwent RT for prostate cancer to examine how ratings of evening and morning fatigue changed from the time of simulation to four months after the completion of RT and to investigate whether specific patient, disease, and symptom characteristics predicted the initial levels of fatigue and/or characteristics of the trajectories of evening and morning fatigue. Using hierarchical linear modeling, a large amount of interindividual variability was demonstrated in the trajectories of evening and morning fatigue. Findings from this study suggest that younger men with a higher level of fatigue at the time of the simulation visit were at increased risk for higher levels of evening and morning fatigue over the course of RT. In addition, the level of morning fatigue over the course of RT appears to depend on the patient's level of depression at the time of the simulation visit. In future studies, the use of hierarchical linear modeling as an analytic tool will assist in the identification of patients who are most at risk for prolonged fatigue trajectories. This type of analysis may lead to the identification of subgroups of patients who are at higher risk for negative outcomes and who require different types of interventions for the fatigue associated with RT.

Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms Associated With Various Domains of Quality of Life in Women With Breast Cancer.

CONTEXT: Little is known about the phenotypic and molecular characteristics associated with various domains of quality of life (QOL) in women after breast cancer surgery. OBJECTIVES: In a sample of women with breast cancer (n = 398), purposes were as follows: to identify latent classes with distinct trajectories of QOL from before surgery through six months after surgery and to evaluate for differences in demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as for polymorphisms in cytokine genes, between these latent classes. METHODS: Latent class analyses were done to identify subgroups of patients with distinct QOL outcomes. Candidate gene analyses were done to identify cytokine gene polymorphisms associated with various domains of QOL (i.e., physical, psychological, spiritual, social). RESULTS: One latent class was identified for the psychological and spiritual domains. Two latent classes were identified for the social domain and overall QOL scores. Three latent classes were identified for the physical domain. For the physical and social domains, as well as for the overall QOL scores, distinct phenotypic characteristics (i.e., younger age, poorer functional status, higher body mass index, and receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy) and a number of cytokine gene polymorphisms (CXCL8, NFKB2, TNFSF, IL1B, IL13, and NFKB1) were associated with membership in the lower QOL classes. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that women experience distinctly different physical well-being, social well-being, and total QOL outcomes during and after breast cancer surgery. The genetic associations identified suggest that cytokine dysregulation influences QOL outcomes. However, specific QOL domains may be impacted by different cytokines.

Differences in the prevalence and severity of side effects based on type of analgesic prescription in patients with chronic cancer pain.

An understanding of the relationship between the type of analgesic prescription and the prevalence and severity of side effects is crucial in making appropriate treatment decisions. The purposes of this study were to determine if there were differences in the prevalence of side effects among four different types of analgesic prescriptions (i.e., no opioid, only an as needed (PRN) opioid, only an around-the-clock (ATC) opioid, or an ATC+PRN opioid); to determine if there were differences in the severity of side effects among the four prescription groups; and to determine the relationships between the total dose of opioid analgesic medication prescribed and taken and the severity of side effects. As part of a larger study, 174 cancer patients with bone metastasis reported their analgesic use and the prevalence and severity of 11 side effects. Significant differences (P<0.05) were found in prevalence rates for seven of the side effects among the four prescription groups. The highest prevalence rates were found in the only ATC and ATC+PRN groups. Significant differences were found in the severity scores for five of the side effects, with the highest severity scores reported by patients in the only ATC and ATC+PRN groups. Significant positive correlations were found between the severity of six of the side effects and the total dose of opioid prescribed and taken. Risk factors for analgesic-induced side effects are ATC and ATC+PRN prescription types and higher doses of opioid analgesics.

Randomized clinical trial of the effectiveness of a self-care intervention to improve cancer pain management.

PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial tested the effectiveness of the PRO-SELF Pain Control Program compared with standard care in decreasing pain intensity scores, increasing appropriate analgesic prescriptions, and increasing analgesic intake in oncology outpatients with pain from bone metastasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to the PRO-SELF intervention (n = 93) or standard care (n = 81). Patients in the standard care arm were seen by a research nurse three times and were called three times by phone between the home visits. PRO-SELF group patients were seen by specially trained intervention nurses and received a psychoeducational intervention, were taught how to use a pillbox, and were given written instructions on how to communicate with their physician about unrelieved pain and the need for changes in their analgesic prescriptions. Patients were coached during two follow-up home visits and three phone calls on how to improve their cancer pain management. RESULTS: Pain intensity scores decreased significantly from baseline (all P <.0001) in the PRO-SELF group (ie, least pain, 28.4%; average pain, 32.5%; and worst pain, 27.0%) compared with the standard care group (ie, least increased by 14.6%, average increased by 1.9%, and worst decreased by 1.2%). The percentage of patients in the PRO-SELF group with the most appropriate type of analgesic prescription increased significantly from 28.3% to 37.0% (P =.008) compared with a change from 29.6% to 32.5% in the standard care group. CONCLUSION: The use of a psychoeducational intervention that incorporates nurse coaching within the framework of self-care can improve the management of cancer pain.

Gender Differences in Predictors of Quality of Life at the Initiation of Radiation Therapy.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate gender differences in quality of life (QOL), demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics.
 DESIGN: Prospective, observational.
 SETTING: Two radiation oncology departments in northern California.
 SAMPLE: 185 patients before initiation of radiation therapy (RT).
 METHODS: At their RT simulation visit, patients completed a demographic questionnaire, a measure of QOL, and symptom-specific scales. Backward elimination regression analyses were conducted to determine the significant predictors of QOL
. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: QOL, gender, and 20 potential predictors
. FINDINGS: In women, depressive symptoms, functional status, age, and having children at home explained 64% of the variance in QOL. In men, depressive symptoms, state anxiety, number of comorbidities, being a member of a racial or ethnic minority, and age explained 70% of the variance in QOL
. CONCLUSIONS: Predictors of QOL differed by gender. Depressive symptom score was the greatest contributor to QOL in both genders.
. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Nurses need to assess for QOL and depression at the initiation of RT. Knowledge of the different predictors of QOL may be useful in the design of gender-specific interventions to improve QOL.

Variations in potassium channel genes are associated with distinct trajectories of persistent breast pain after breast cancer surgery.

Persistent pain after breast cancer surgery is a common clinical problem. Given the role of potassium channels in modulating neuronal excitability, coupled with recently published genetic associations with preoperative breast pain, we hypothesized that variations in potassium channel genes will be associated with persistent postsurgical breast pain. In this study, associations between 10 potassium channel genes and persistent breast pain were evaluated. Using growth mixture modeling (GMM), 4 distinct latent classes of patients, who were assessed before and monthly for 6 months after breast cancer surgery, were identified previously (ie, No Pain, Mild Pain, Moderate Pain, Severe Pain). Genotyping was done using a custom array. Using logistic regression analyses, significant differences in a number of genotype or haplotype frequencies were found between: Mild Pain vs No Pain and Severe Pain vs No Pain classes. Seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across 5 genes (ie, potassium voltage-gated channel, subfamily A, member 1 [KCNA1], potassium voltage-gated channel, subfamily D, member 2 [KCND2], potassium inwardly rectifying channel, subfamily J, members 3 and 6 (KCNJ3 and KCNJ6), potassium channel, subfamily K, member 9 [KCNK9]) were associated with membership in the Mild Pain class. In addition, 3 SNPs and 1 haplotype across 4 genes (ie, KCND2, KCNJ3, KCNJ6, KCNK9) were associated with membership in the Severe Pain class. These findings suggest that variations in potassium channel genes are associated with both mild and severe persistent breast pain after breast cancer surgery. Although findings from this study warrant replication, they provide intriguing preliminary information on potential therapeutic targets.

Associations between catecholaminergic, GABAergic, and serotonergic genes and self-reported attentional function in oncology patients and their family caregivers.

PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH: Evaluate for associations between variations in genes involved in catecholaminergic, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic, and serotonergic mechanisms of neurotransmission and attentional function latent classes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This descriptive, longitudinal study was conducted at two radiation therapy departments. The sample included three latent classes of individuals with distinct trajectories of self-reported attentional function during radiation therapy, who were previously identified using growth mixture modeling among 167 oncology patients and 85 of their family caregivers. Multivariable models were used to evaluate for genotypic associations of neurotransmission genes with attentional function latent class membership, after controlling for covariates. RESULTS: Variations in catecholaminergic (i.e., ADRA1D rs4815675, SLC6A3 rs37022), GABAergic (i.e., SLC6A1 rs2697138), and serotonergic (i.e., HTR2A rs2296972, rs9534496) neurotransmission genes were significant predictors of latent class membership in multivariable models. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that variations in genes that encode for three distinct but related neurotransmission systems are involved in alterations in attentional function. Knowledge of both phenotypic and genetic markers associated with alterations in attentional function can be used by clinicians to identify patients and family caregivers who are at higher risk for this symptom. Increased understanding of the genetic markers associated with alterations in attentional function may provide insights into the underlying mechanisms for this significant clinical problem.

Cytokine gene associations with self-report ratings of morning and evening fatigue in oncology patients and their family caregivers.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate for differences in variations in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine genes between participants who were classified as having low and high levels of morning and evening fatigue and to evaluate for differences in phenotypic characteristics between these two groups. In a sample of 167 oncology outpatients with breast, prostate, lung, or brain cancer and 85 of their family caregivers, growth mixture modeling was used to identify latent classes of individuals based on ratings of morning and evening fatigue obtained prior to, during, and for 4 months following completion of radiation therapy. Differences in single nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotypes in 15 cytokine genes were evaluated between the latent classes. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the effect of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics on morning and evening fatigue class membership. Associations were found between morning fatigue and number of comorbidities as well as variations in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFA) rs1800629 and rs3093662. Evening fatigue was associated with caring for children at home and variations in interleukin 4 (IL4) rs2243248 and TNFA rs2229094. Younger age and lower performance status were associated with both morning and evening fatigue. These findings suggest that inflammatory mediators are associated with the development of morning and evening fatigue. However, because different phenotypic characteristics and genomic markers are associated with diurnal variations in fatigue, morning and evening fatigue may be distinct but related symptoms.

Associations between cytokine genes and a symptom cluster of pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression in patients prior to breast cancer surgery.

Pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression are common and frequently co-occurring symptoms in oncology patients. This symptom cluster is often attributed to the release of proinflammatory cytokines. The purposes of this study were to determine whether distinct latent classes of patients with breast cancer (n = 398) could be identified based on their experience with this symptom cluster, whether patients in these latent classes differed on demographic and clinical characteristics and whether variations in cytokine genes were associated with latent class membership. Three distinct latent classes were identified: "all low" (61.0%), "low pain and high fatigue" (31.6%), "all high" (7.1%). Compared to patients in the all low class, patients in the all high class were significantly younger, had less education, were more likely to be non-White, had a lower annual income, were more likely to live alone, had a lower functional status, had a higher comorbidity score, and had more advanced disease. Significant associations were found between interleukin 6 (IL6) rs2069845, IL13 rs1295686, and tumor necrosis factor alpha rs18800610 and latent class membership. Findings suggest that variations in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine genes are associated with this symptom cluster in breast cancer patients.