1832P - Physical condition is associated with quality of life in colorectal cancer survivors: Results from a Portuguese and Spanish cohort of patients

Background

According to Eurocare 6, the number of cancer survivors is increasing in Europe by 3,5% per year since 2010. Overall, 38% of all prevalent cases will live more than 10 years after the diagnosis. Colorectal cancer (CRC) stands as the 2nd most prevalent cancer among survivors across genders. Interestingly most CRC survivors will be older than 65 and will possibly need survivorship care services.

Methods

We investigated the cross-sectional association between physical-fitness, measured by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and isometric handgrip strength (IHS), and HRQoL (QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR29) in a cohort of 272 Portuguese and Spanish CRC patients (mean age 65±10.8 years; 65% men; 10.5%, 21%, 33.6% and 28.7% in stages I, II, III and IV, respectively).

Results

Linear model analyses showed that greater performance in the 6MWT was associated with higher levels in several functional domains of QLQ-C30,such as physical scale (p=0.019), role (p<0.001), emotional (p=0.012), and cognitive function (p=0.012), and lower levels in several symptoms domains as fatigue (p=0.012), dyspnoea (p<0.001), insomnia (p=0.002) and appetite loss (p=0.001). Additionally, performance in 6MWT was associated with several functional domains of QLQ-CR29, as enhanced body image, less anxiety, and fewer weight problems (p=0.002, <0.001 and <0.001 respectively). Moreover, greater performance in IHS was associated with higher levels in role function (p<0.001) of QLQ-C30 and lower levels in several symptoms’ domains such as fatigue, pain, dyspnoea and insomnia (p<0.001, p=0.005, p=0.002 and p=0.014 respectively). Furthermore, performance in IHS was associated with several functional domains of QLQ-CR29, as improved body image, less anxiety, and fewer weight problems (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that greater aerobic fitness and upper-body muscle strength are associated with better functioning and lower symptomatology such as fatigue and pain. Additionally, greater aerobic fitness was associated with a better cognitive function. These findings support the need for rehabilitation strategies to enhance physical condition and quality of life in cancer survivors.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

CIAFEL: (UIDB/00617/2020: https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/00617/2020 and UIDP/00617/2020: https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDP/00617/2020) ITR: LA/P/0064/2020.

Disclosure

A. Ruiz-Casado: Financial Interests, Personal, Invited Speaker: Abbott, MEDTRONIC, Nestle, Servier; Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Board: Amgen, Pierre Fabre. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.