ASPO Abstracts
Does age influence self-reported symptom burden and in turn modify sedentary time in ovarian cancer survivors?
Category: Survivorship & Health Outcomes/Comparative Effectiveness Research
Conference Year: 2020
Abstract Body:
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between age and affective
symptoms (fatigue, distress, sadness) and the association with sedentary time in women
participating in the Lifestyle Intervention for oVarian Cancer Enhanced Survival [(LIvES)-
GOG/NRG 0225].
Methods
Self-reported baseline affective symptom severity (N= 499) and interference (N= 165; 0-
10; mean score of symptom interference from all symptoms with mood, relations with
other people, and enjoyment of life) were collected using the MD Anderson Symptom
Inventory from ovarian cancer survivors participating in the LIVES study. Sedentary time
(hours/day) was estimated from and the Arizona Physical Activity Questionnaire (N=
1133). Total symptom severity, affective symptom severity and affective symptom
interference were compared between survivors <65 and ≥65 years of age using 2-sided t-
tests. Adjusted linear regression models were used to evaluate symptom constructs with
sedentary time by age.
Results
The mean age of ovarian cancer survivors in the study was 59.8 y; 32.9% were ≥65 y.
Total symptom severity was significantly lower in survivors ≥65 years of age (mean: 1.15
± 0.86, p= 0.002) when compared to those <65 years. Affective symptom severity also
differed by age (mean: 2.05 ± 1.80, p= 0.02). However, no difference in affective symptom
interference by age group was demonstrated (p= 0.09). Total symptom severity and
affective symptom interference were not associated with sedentary time overall nor by
age group of survivors. However, among survivors <65 years of age, affective symptom
severity was associated with higher sedentary time (β= 0.32, 95% CI= 0.06-0.58, p=
0.018); the same was not observed for survivors ≥65 years.
Conclusions
Key findings from this study include that younger survivors carry a higher total symptom
burden and affective symptom burden than older survivors. Age is therefore an important
factor when evaluating symptom burden. Additional research is needed to more robustly
evaluate the impact of age on symptom burden in ovarian cancer survivors.
Keywords: Symptoms, Sedentary Time, Ovarian cancer