Identification of distinct symptom profiles in prostate cancer patients with cancer-related cognitive impairment...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Psychology
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a cornerstone treatment for prostate cancer.
• Patients undergoing ADT often experience cognitive impairment and various co-occurring symptoms.
• Understanding symptom clusters is crucial for personalized patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify latent classes of cognitive impairment and associated symptoms (fatigue, pain, sleep disturbance, depression) in prostate cancer patients on ADT.
• To explore predictors of these distinct latent classes.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 228 prostate cancer patients undergoing ADT.
• Utilized validated scales to assess cognitive impairment, fatigue, sleep disturbance, pain, depression, loneliness, physical activity, and comorbidities.
• Latent class analysis was employed to identify patient subgroups.

Main Results:

• Three distinct latent classes were identified: low symptoms (32%), high depression (37.7%), and high physical symptoms with cognitive impairment (30.3%).
• Higher comorbidity scores predicted classification into the high physical symptom/cognitive impairment class.
• Increased loneliness scores predicted higher symptom burden (depression or physical/cognitive), while higher physical activity predicted the low symptom class.

Conclusions:

• Significant inter-individual variability exists in symptom experience among prostate cancer patients on ADT.
• Clinical practice should emphasize screening for fatigue, sleep disturbance, and pain.
• Future interventions should prioritize addressing loneliness and promoting physical activity in this patient population.