Age-related differences in patient-reported and objective measures of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy among cancer survivors.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

While older adults with cancer are more likely to develop chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), the study aimed to determine if patient-reported and objective measures of CIPN differ by age among cancer survivors.

METHODS:

Cancer survivors with persistent CIPN after completion of platinum and/or taxane chemotherapy completed CIPN questionnaires (severity, interference with activities, sensory, and motor symptoms) and objective testing (light touch, vibration, pain, cold sensation). CIPN measures were compared by age group (< 65 n = 260 versus ≥ 65 n = 165) using parametric and nonparametric tests.

RESULTS:

Among 425 cancer survivors with CIPN, mean age was 60.9 (SD 10.5). CIPN location did not differ by age (overall 68% hands and feet, 27% only feet, 5% only hands). For patient-reported measures, older survivors reported less severe pain in the hands and feet than younger survivors. In addition, older survivors reported lower interference with general activity, routine activities, normal work, enjoyment of life, sleep, mood, relations with other people, and sexual activity. No age differences in sensory and motor symptom scores were found. In contrast, for objective measures, older survivors had worse light touch and cold sensations in their feet and worse vibration detection in their hands and feet.

CONCLUSIONS:

Despite having worse light touch, cold, and vibration sensations, older cancer survivors with CIPN reported less severe pain and interference with activities. This discordance highlights the importance of including both patient-reported and objective measures to assess CIPN in cancer survivors to better evaluate this clinical condition.

• Authors: Melisa L Wong, Bruce A Cooper, Steven M Paul, Gary Abrams, Kimberly Topp, Kord M Kober, Margaret A Chesney, Melissa Mazor, Mark A Schumacher, Yvette P Conley, Jon D Levine, Christine Miaskowski
• Journal: Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (Support Care Cancer) Vol. 27 Issue 10 Pg. 3905-3912 (Oct 2019) ISSN: 1433-7339 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 30770977 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Bridged-Ring Compounds
• Taxoids
• taxane
• Platinum

Topics

• Aged
• Antineoplastic Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Bridged-Ring Compounds (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Cancer Survivors (statistics & numerical data)
• Female
• Humans
• Induction Chemotherapy (adverse effects)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Pain (diagnosis)
• Patient Reported Outcome Measures
• Peripheral Nervous System Diseases (chemically induced)
• Platinum (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Self Report (statistics & numerical data)
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Taxoids (adverse effects, therapeutic use)