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. 2019 May;8(5):2654-2663.
doi: 10.1002/cam4.2069. Epub 2019 Mar 18.

Cognitive complaints in cancer survivors and expectations for support: Results from a web-based survey

Marie Lange  1   2   3 , Idlir Licaj  1   2   3 , Bénédicte Clarisse  1 , Xavier Humbert  4   5   6 , Jean-Michel Grellard  1 , Laure Tron  2   3   7 , Florence Joly  1   2   3   7
Affiliations

Cognitive complaints in cancer survivors and expectations for support: Results from a web-based survey

Marie Lange et al. Cancer Med. 2019 May.

Abstract

Background: Cognitive complaints are common in cancer survivors. We aimed to assess cognitive complaints in cancer survivors and the associated factors using a large web-based survey.

Methods: This online survey was proposed to cancer survivors. Participants completed several questions on cognitive complaints experience, expectations for support of cognitive difficulties, preexisting knowledge about chemotherapy-associated cognitive problems and demographic and medical variables. We used multivariable logistic regression models to estimate Odds Ratios and 95% confidence intervals to estimate associations.

Results: Among 1610 eligible participants (median age 52 [21-84]), >85% (n = 1393) were breast cancer survivors. Median postcancer treatment time (excluding hormone therapy) was 2.83 years [0.8-33]. Seventy five percent of the participants (n = 1214) reported cognitive complaints related to cancer treatments. Cognitive difficulties had an impact on work resumption for 76% of the participants (n = 754/982). Most cancer survivors would like to receive support (75%, n = 909) and especially cognitive training (72%, n = 658). Chemotherapy was strongly associated with cognitive complaints (multivariable OR = 3.67, 95% CI: 2.80-4.82). Self-reported sleep difficulties (ORoften vs. never = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.80-4.47), preexisting knowledge about chemotherapy-associated cognitive problems (ORNo vs. Yes = 1.69, 95% CI: 1-29-2.22) and age (OR21-64 vs. ≥65 = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.23-0.58) were also associated with cancer-related cognitive complaints.

Conclusions: According to this large web-based survey including mainly breast cancer survivors, cognitive complaints were reported by three quarters of participants, which reinforces that cognitive difficulties are a major issue in cancer survivors. Chemotherapy, self-reported sleep difficulties and preexisting knowledge about chemotherapy-associated cognitive problems were strongly associated with cancer-related cognitive complaints. Most cancer survivors wished to receive support and especially cognitive training.

Keywords: cancer treatments; chemobrain; cognitive complaints; survey.

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Conflict of interest statement

None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow chart
Figure 2
Figure 2
Expectations for support of cognitive complaints among n = 909 participants with cognitive complaints who were interested in cognitive support.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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