Symptom clusters using the Brief Pain Inventory in patients with breast cancer

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess symptom clusters in functional interference using the brief pain inventory (BPI) in patients with non-metastatic breast cancer (BC) during and after chemotherapy. METHODS: A principal component analysis with varimax rotation was conducted on data from 228 patients to identify two clusters at baseline and two intervals following treatment. RESULTS: Physical (general activity, normal work, walking ability) and psychosocial (mood, relationships, sleep, enjoyment of life) interference clusters were present at baseline. Clusters were observed at 1-month (cluster 1: general activity, normal work, enjoyment of life; cluster 2: relationships, sleep) and 3-month (cluster 1: general activity, normal work, relationships; cluster 2: sleep, enjoyment of life) post-treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Results from our study suggest dynamic symptom clusters in this patient population, and encourage continued symptom management following completion of treatment.

Symptom clusters using the Brief Pain Inventory in patients with breast cancer Journal Articles