Premium
NeuroCog FX study: A multicenter cohort study on cognitive dysfunction in patients with early breast cancer
Author(s) -
Rick Oliver,
ReußBorst Monika,
Dauelsberg Timm,
Hass Holger G.,
König Volker,
Caspari Reiner,
GötzKeil Gabriele,
Pfitzner Jürgen,
Kerschgens Christa,
Fliessbach Klaus,
Hoppe Christian
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.4763
Subject(s) - medicine , cognition , breast cancer , quality of life (healthcare) , depression (economics) , effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance , alertness , executive functions , verbal memory , psychiatry , cancer , nursing , economics , macroeconomics
Objective Complaints about cognitive dysfunction (CD) reportedly persist in approximately one third of breast cancer patients, but the nature of CD and possible risk factors are unknown. Methods A cross‐sectional, multicenter study was set up at 9 German oncological rehabilitation centers. Objective cognitive performance was assessed by the NeuroCog FX test, a short computerized screening (duration <30 minutes) which assesses working memory, alertness, verbal/figural memory, and language/executive. Patients' test performance was correlated with treatment factors (chemo‐, radiotherapy), subjective performance (FEDA), depression (PHQ‐9), quality of life (EORTC QLQ‐30), and clinical characteristics. Results From February 2013 to December 2014, a clinically homogenous sample of 476 patients was recruited (early tumor stage [T0‐T2]: 93%; node‐negative: 67%; chemotherapy: 61%; radiotherapy: 84%). NeuroCog FX could be administered in 439 patients (92%; median age: 50 [24‐62] years). Patients showed decreased performance in attentional‐executive functions (but not verbal/figural memory) and a 3‐fold rate of CD in terms of below average performance in at least 1 cognitive domain (42%). Approximately 40% of the patients also reported subjective cognitive impairment (FEDA). No therapy‐specific effect on test performance was obtained in the NeuroCog FX test. Conclusions Breast cancer survivors showed objective attentional‐executive and subjective cognitive impairments. No therapy‐specific adverse side effect on objective cognitive performance was found. Depression strongly contributed to objective and subjective cognitive complaints and reduced quality of life.