Clinical factors associated with cancer-related cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients in Malaysia
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-1-2021
Abstract
Background & Objective: Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is an increasingly acknowledged after-effect of breast cancer and its treatment. However, its associated risk factors remain vaguely understood. This study aimed to examine the factors that are associated with cognitive functions in the Malaysia breast cancer population, along with the correlation between perceived and objective cognitive functioning among subjects. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study among breast cancer patients from University Malaya Medical Centre, a teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Subjects were assessed using socio-demographic and clinical questionnaires, Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), Perceived Deficit Questionnaire 5-Malay version (PDQS-M), Positive Emotion Rating Scale-Malay version (PERS -M), and Hospital anxiety and depression scale Malay version (HADS-M). Results: Lower education level (p<0.001, partial eta(2) 0.066) and presence of chronic illness (p=0.027, partial eta(2) 0.027) were associated with poorer DSST performance. Subjects with higher anxiety levels were observed to have more subjective cognitive concerns, which manifested as higher PDQS-M score (p<0.001, partial eta(2) 0.085). There was a reported disparity between subjective and objective measure. Conclusion: There is a significant discrepancy between subjective and objective cognitive function assessments. Subjective cognitive concerns were found to be related to psychological distress, whereas those with lower education level and chronic illness had a significant poorer objective cognitive performance. Clinicians should consider above factors in assessing and treating cancer patients presented with CRCI.
Keywords
Cognition, Breast neoplasms, Cognitive dysfunction, Psycho-oncology, Drug therapy
Divisions
psychological
Publication Title
Neurology Asia
Volume
26
Issue
2
Publisher
ASEAN Neurological Association
Publisher Location
UNIV MALAYA MEDICAL CENTRE, NEUROLOGY LABORATORY, KUALA LUMPUR, 59100, MALAYSIA