Skip to main content

Table 4 Linear regression analyses of the relationships between changes in upper-body function (self-reported and objective) between six- and 18-months post-surgery and quality of life at 18-months post-surgery*

From: Upper-body morbidity following breast cancer treatment is common, may persist longer-term and adversely influences quality of life

 

Quality of life (FACTB+4) at 18-months post-surgery

 

n

Bivariate

Mean

Adjusted †

Mean (95% CI)

p-value

Objective upper-body function

  

UBSE change‡

   

0.10

   declined

40

128.7

123.4 (118.5, 128.2)

 

   no change

60

132.6

127.9 (123.6, 132.2)

 

   improved

78

132.4

129.1 (125.2, 133.0)

 

Self-reported upper-body function

  

DASH change‡

   

< 0.01

   declined

75

125.3

121.5 (118.2, 124.9)

 

   no change

22

145.1

127.8 (122.5, 133.2)

 

   improved

133

130.7

130.4 (127.5, 133.3)

 
  1. Abbreviations: FACTB+4, quality of life as measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Questionnaire (0 to 160 scale, higher score = better quality of life); UBSE, upper-body strength and endurance; DASH, Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (0-100 scale, lower score = better function); CI, confidence intervals.
  2. * Results presented have been appropriately weighted (< 50 years:1.0; > 50 years:1.3) for over-sampling younger women.
  3. † Means adjusted for all variables in table along with age, marital status, type of surgery, adjuvant therapy, number of co-morbidities, perceived handling of stress, baseline quality of life and baseline UBSE and DASH scores [24].
  4. ‡ Change scores from six- to 18-months post-surgery, no change defined as 0.