Self-Reported and Performance-Based Evaluations of Functional Status in Older Women With Breast Cancer

To evaluate self-reported and performance-based functional status (FS) in older women with breast cancer according to stage and time of visit during treatment.

72 women with breast cancer aged 78 years or older and receiving any type of treatment at a midwestern outpatient clinic.

FS was evaluated using grip strength, the Index of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), the instrumental ADLs (IADLs) scale, and the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT). Mixed models were fit for grip strength and the TUGT, and generalized estimating equations were used to fit binary logistic regressions for the Index of ADLs and the IADLs scale. Continuous FS outcomes were evaluated using means and standard deviations.

Cancer stage and time of visit did not affect self-reported or performance-based FS scores. Most participants were considered independent on the Index of ADLs, the IADLs scale, and the TUGT, which did not change significantly between visits. Self-reported measures revealed less impairment.

Monitoring FS using self-reported and performance-based measures can ensure that older patients receive timely support.