Pre-Treatment Perceived Social Support Is Associated With Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients With...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Psychosocial Oncology
• Neuro-oncology

Background:

• Previous research indicates a link between cancer symptoms and perceived social support (PSS).
• Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and debilitating side effect of cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if CIPN severity differs based on pre-treatment perceived social support levels.
• To prospectively evaluate the relationship between PSS and CIPN using validated instruments.

Main Methods:

• 39 breast cancer patients assessed for PSS using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS).
• Patients categorized into low-to-moderate and high PSS groups.
• CIPN prospectively measured using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy 20 (CIPN20) at multiple time points.
• Linear mixed-effects modeling analyzed PSS level and time point effects on CIPN20.

Main Results:

• A significant association was found between the friends subscale of PSS and the sensory scale of CIPN.
• Patients with high PSS from friends reported lower CIPN sensory scores at 1 month post-chemotherapy compared to those with low-to-moderate PSS (p=0.010).

Conclusions:

• This study provides the first prospective evidence on the long-term impact of pre-treatment social support from friends on CIPN.
• Larger sample studies are needed to further explore the influence of PSS on CIPN pathophysiology.