Journal of Psychosomatic Research
Volume 66, Issue 6 , Pages 495-502, June 2009

Determinants of fatigue 6 and 12 months after surgery in women with early-stage breast cancer: A comparison with women with benign breast problems☆

  • Jolanda De Vries

      Affiliations

    • Department of Medical Psychology, CoRPS, Tilburg University, PO Box 90153, 5000 LE Tilburg, The Netherlands
    • Department of Medical Psychology, St. Elisabeth Hospital, PO Box 90151, 5000 LC Tilburg, The Netherlands
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Department of Medical Psychology, CoRPS, Tilburg University, PO Box 90153, 5000 LE Tilburg, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31 134662705; fax: +31 134662067.
    • ,
  • Alida F. Van der Steeg

      Affiliations

    • Department of Pediatric Surgery, Amsterdam Medical Center, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    • ,
  • Jan A. Roukema

      Affiliations

    • Department of Medical Psychology, CoRPS, Tilburg University, PO Box 90153, 5000 LE Tilburg, The Netherlands
    • Department of Surgery, St. Elisabeth Hospital, PO Box 90151, 5000 LC Tilburg, The Netherlands

Received 31 March 2008; received in revised form 10 November 2008; accepted 25 November 2008. published online 21 January 2009.

Abstract 

Objective

The objective of this study was to examine the predictors of fatigue 6 and 12 months after surgical treatment in women with early-stage breast cancer (BC group) and in women with benign breast problems (BBP group) in a prospective follow-up study.

Methods

Women entered the study prior to diagnosis and completed questionnaires on personality factors, psychological factors, and social support. Fatigue was assessed 6 and 12 months after diagnosis (BBP group) or surgical treatment (BC group). Clinical data were taken from medical records.

Results

In the BC group (n=117), fatigue at 6 months was predicted by trait anxiety (P<.001) and extraversion (P<.05). Trait anxiety (P<.05), extraversion (P<.05), and depressive symptoms (P<.05) predicted fatigue at 12 months. In the BBP group (n=190), the predictors were trait anxiety (P<.001) for fatigue at 6 months, and trait anxiety (P<.001) and neuroticism (P<.01) for fatigue at 12 months.

Conclusion

Many patients who are already fatigued before diagnosis remain tired regardless of diagnosis. Trait anxiety is strongly related to fatigue in both groups.

Keywords: Anxiety, Benign breast problems, Breast cancer, Fatigue

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☆ Patients were recruited at the St. Elisabeth Hospital Tilburg and the Maasland Hospital Sittard, The Netherlands.

PII: S0022-3999(08)00576-X

doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2008.11.008

Journal of Psychosomatic Research
Volume 66, Issue 6 , Pages 495-502, June 2009

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