A study on prevalence of cognitive functions impairment in advanced breast cancer patients in referral hospital at Hyderabad

Abstract

Background : Cognitive impairment is the most frequent complication experienced in advanced breast cancer patients Patients often develop cognitive problems as impairment in memory and verbal fluency, slowing down of thought processes, and a decrease in their attention span, If untreated, will impair their performance at work and home and eventually diminish an individual's quality of life .Aim of the study: To study cognitive functions in advanced breast cancer patientsMaterials & methods: A cross sectional study was done in the department of psychiatry, for a period of one year in 30 patients and 30 controls who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria were selected by purposive sampling technique and socio-demographic data was collected. Cases of breast cancer involving administration of a battery of neuro-psychological tests to assess the cognitive functions in patient group and control group which have been matched for age and socio-economic status.Results: There was significant difference between early (stages I & II) and late (stages III & IV) breast cancer only in DSST TT (P=0.021) and DSST E (p=0.028). No statistical significant difference was noted on SMMSE and TMT B tests. The group of patients who were treated with chemotherapy did not statistically vary from the group who were not treated with chemotherapy on any of the cognitive tests.Conclusion: Analysis of data revealed 100 % subjective report of cognitive functioning among cases and controls in the domains of brief cognitive rating scale.