Congress Abstracts 2006

250

FUNCTIONAL STATUS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN WOMEN WITH METASTATIC BREAST CANCER (MBC). Bridget Coyne, MSN, CRNP, and Margaret Rosenzweig, PhD, CRNP, AOCRNP, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA.

Exercise has been shown to decrease fatigue, and improve functionality in patients undergoing adjuvant breast cancer treatment. MBC is shifting to a chronic disease model with resultant implications for maintaining functionality, an ONS research priority. Little is known about the physical functionality of women with MBC.

To examine and measure the functional status and daily physical activity in women with MBC.

The Levine Conservation Model guided the assessment of overall energy, and structural, personal and social integrity.

A cross sectional descriptive study utilizing a mailed survey of two questionnaires assessing functional status and self-report physical activity in women with MBC from a large urban cancer center. One hundred and twenty five (N=125) women with MBC were identified via a HIPPA compliant database. The Inventory of Functional Status-Cancer (IFS-CA) measured multi-dimensional functional status. The Activity Assessment, an open ended questionnaire assessed daily physical activity. Retrospective chart review measured fatigue by self report checklist at most recent office visit.

Data collection was from July 2005 through September 2005. Fifty-two of 125 (42%) subjects returned the survey. Mean age 56.5 years, (range 45-81). Mean MBC survival was 33 months (range 1-148). Visceral metastasis (liver and lung) was present in 58% (N=32) of all subjects, with 75% (N= 39) undergoing chemotherapy.

Total IFS-CA mean score was 87 (range 32-172). Majority of subjects are “most” or “all of the time” able to maintain/participate in social/community activities, household/family work, and occupation. However, deficits were noted in personal care with most, 67% (N= 35) of the respondents sometimes or most of the time requiring rest or sleep during the day while 48% (N=25) never or seldom walk as much as usual. Major physical activities were walking (68.6%, n=35) and gardening (39.2%, N=20). Chart review indicated that 60% (N= 29) of the respondents noted fatigue.

Despite advanced disease, this cohort of women with MBC maintained functionality in all aspects of daily life. Conversely, these women reported fatigue and required periods of rest through the day. The degree of distress associated with maintenance of functionality was not assessed.