Rheumatoid symptoms following breast cancer treatment: A controlled comparison

The prevalence of rheumatoid symptoms following breast cancer (BC) treatmen t was examined. Breast cancer patients (n = 111) who were a mean of 27.6 mo nths post completion of BC treatment and 99 otherwise healthy women with be nign breast problems (BBP) completed a self-report measure that assessed cu rrent joint pain, swelling and stiffness, as well as mens res of quality of life. Results supported a hypothesized link between BC and rheumatoid symp toms: (I) the BC group was more likely to report joint stiffness lasting mo re than 60 min following morning waking (2) the prevalence of unilateral or bilateral joint point or swelling was greater (P < 0.10) in the BC group f or four of 10 joint-symptom combinations examined, with differences between the BC and BBP groups in upper extremity joint swelling particularly prono unced; and (3) 41% of the BC group reported that current rheumatoid symptom s exceeded those experienced prior to diagnosis. Within the BC group the da ta did not support postchemotherapy rheumatism lu an explanation for rheuma toid symptoms. Rather data suggested that symptoms were associated with sur gical management of BC. Finally, among women in the BC group With the most severe joint pain, only a minority were receiving medication for these symp toms. Given the relationship between rheumatoid symptoms and quality of lif e, more systematic research examining-potential contributing factors such a s menopausal status, concurrent lymphedema, and weight gain is warranted. ( C) U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committed, 1999.