Evaluating Clinical and Sociodemographic Risk for Symptom Burden Associated Interference With Daily Functioning in...

Symptom burden associated with interference in daily functioning is worse in those with progression or higher-grade glial tumors. This exploratory study aims to identify factors associated with its severity in a diverse cross-sectional cohort of 566 brain tumor patients enrolled in a natural history study (NCT03251989, PI: T.S. Armstrong).

Sociodemographic and clinical data and self-reported activity-related interference (work, general activity, walking), mood-related interference (relations with others, enjoyment of life, mood) were reported via the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Brain Tumor. Activity and mood-related interference mean scores ≥ 2 were categorized as moderate-severe. Logistic regression assessed univariate associations with moderate-severe interference. Characteristics significant in the univariate analysis were included in a multivariable analysis.

This patient sample had a median age of 48 years (18-85), was mostly male (57%), with a high-grade tumor (73%), glioblastoma (39%), and tumor recurrence (49%). Risk factors for moderate-severe activity-related interference included: ≥ 2 surgeries (OR = 1.64, 95% CI [1.10, 2.44], p = 0.015), ependymoma (OR = 2.59, 95% CI [1.21-5.53], p = 0.014), and childhood in a rural area (OR = 1.74, 95% CI [1.15-2.63] p = 0.009). Risk factors for moderate-severe mood-related interference included tumor progression (OR = 2.02, 95% CI [1.21-3.36], p = 0.009).

Patient reported interference with daily physical functioning is associated with sociodemographic and disease-related characteristics and notably worse mood-related interference in those with progression. Future studies should include social determinants of health and change over time to identify and plan interventions for those at risk.