610P - Physical activity and fitness levels in women with ovarian cancer shortly after diagnosis

Background

Higher levels of physical activity and fitness have been associated with higher quality of life and fewer symptoms (e.g. fatigue) in patients with cancer. Physical activity and fitness levels vary between cancer types and generally tend to decline during active treatment. Information on patients with ovarian cancer is scarce. This study aimed to determine levels of physical activity and fitness in patients with ovarian cancer shortly after diagnosis.

Methods

Women with ovarian cancer, scheduled for chemotherapy were included as part of the Physical Activity and Dietary intervention in patients with Ovarian cancer (PADOVA) trial (Stelten et al. BMJ Open 2020;10:e036854). Physical activity was measured with the self-reported Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). In a subgroup (n=54), peak oxygen uptake (peakVO₂) was assessed during an incremental exercise test on a cycle ergometer as measure for physical fitness.

Results

In total, 113 women aged 59.0 (SD 11.8) years participated. We found a PASE-score of 62.2 (SD 53.6). This is substantially lower than the 95.9 (SD 75.1) that we previously found in a group of 403 patients with various cancer types (Douma et al. Support Care Cancer 2020;86:3701-9). Average peakVO₂ was 20.5 (SD 5.2) ml/kg/min, which is below average compared with norms for patients with cancer (Schneider et al. Int J Sport Med 2014;35:1134-7). In this cohort, 15% had a peakVO₂ value less than 15.4 ml/kg/min, which is considered the threshold for functional independence.

Conclusions

Women with ovarian cancer are physically inactive and have low levels of physical fitness shortly after diagnosis. This is particularly worrisome as this may further decline during treatment. The currently ongoing PADOVA trial will examine whether physical activity and fitness can be maintained or improved by a combined exercise and dietary intervention.

Clinical trial identification

Netherlands Trial Registry (NTR6300).

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

Dutch Cancer Society.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.