Background
Methods
Study samples
Symptom clusters study
FPS study
Symptom prevalence study
Instruments
Demographic and clinical characteristics
Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS)
Analysis
Results
Differences in demographic and clinical characteristics between older and younger patients
Characteristic | Total (%) | Age group | p-value | Post hoc contrasts | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
< 60 (%) | ≥ 60 (%) | < 60 (%) | ≥ 60 (%) | p-value | |||
Study project | |||||||
Fatigue, Pain, and Sleep | 28.8 | 28.9 | 28.8 | .170 | |||
Symptom Prevalence | 34.4 | 38.0 | 31.5 | ||||
Symptom Clusters | 36.8 | 33.1 | 39.7 | ||||
Gender- Female | 54.6 | 70.7 | 41.8 | < .001 | |||
Lives alone | 26.4 | 24.0 | 28.2 | .260 | |||
Partnered/married | 60.9 | 57.3 | 63.7 | .126 | |||
Education – Post high school | 61.4 | 68.8 | 55.5 | .001 | |||
Diagnosis | |||||||
Breast | 33.6 | 48.3 | 21.8 | 48.3 | 21.8 | .0125 | |
Prostate | 26.0 | 11.0 | 37.9 | < .001 | 11.0 | 37.9 | .0125 |
Lung | 13.2 | 11.4 | 14.5 | ||||
Other | 27.3 | 29.3 | 25.8 | ||||
Metastases | 34.9 | 37.3 | 32.9 | .297 | |||
Treatment | |||||||
None | 15.5 | 13.3 | 17.3 | ||||
Only radiation | 43.6 | 33.8 | 51.4 | < .001 | 33.8 | 51.4 | .0125 |
Only chemotherapy | 27.4 | 31.2 | 24.3 | ||||
Both | 13.5 | 21.7 | 7.0 | 21.7 | 7.0 | .0125 | |
ECOG Performance Status | |||||||
Fully active | 21.4 | 15.8 | 26.0 | 15.8 | 26.0 | .0100 | |
Ambulatory, light work | 48.9 | 53.1 | 45.5 | .043 | |||
Ambulatory, mobile > 50% | 21.6 | 23.5 | 20.1 | ||||
Ambulatory, mobile < 50% | 7.2 | 6.5 | 7.7 | ||||
Disabled | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.6 | ||||
Age (years; mean (standard deviation)) | 61.3 (12.1) | 50.3 (7.7) | 70.1 (6.5) | < .001 |
Differences in symptom occurrence rates between older and younger patients
Symptom | Occurrence rates (%) for total sample | Unadjusted values | Adjusted values | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Continuous age | Continuous age | ||||
Odds ratio | CI | Odds ratio | CI | ||
Difficulty concentrating | 45.9 | .96+ | .95-.97 | .97+ | .96-.99 |
Pain | 64.1 | .97+ | .96-.98 | .97** | .96-.99 |
Lack of energy | 74.7 | .98** | .96-.99 | .99 | .97-1.01 |
Cough | 37.6 | 1.00 | .98-1.01 | 1.00 | .98-1.02 |
Feeling nervous | 32.4 | .98** | .96-.99 | .98* | .97-.99 |
Dry mouth | 42.8 | 1.00 | .99-1.01 | 1.01 | .99-1.03 |
Nausea | 31.2 | .98** | .97-.99 | .98* | .97-.99 |
Feeling drowsy | 58.7 | .99 | .97-1.00 | .99 | .98-1.01 |
Numbness/tingling in hands/feet | 31.9 | .99 | .97-1.00 | .99 | .98-1.01 |
Difficulty sleeping | 53.3 | .96+ | .95-.98 | .97** | .96-.99 |
Feeling bloated | 24.8 | .97+ | .95-.98 | .97+ | .95-.98 |
Problems with urination | 29.5 | 1.03+ | 1.02-1.05 | 1.01 | .99-1.03 |
Vomiting | 13.8 | .98* | .97-.99 | .97* | .95-.99 |
Shortness of breath | 34.6 | .99 | .98-1.00 | .99 | .97-1.00 |
Diarrhea | 21.8 | 1.00 | .99-1.02 | 1.00 | .98-1.02 |
Feeling sad | 40.5 | .95+ | .94-.97 | .96+ | .94-.97 |
Sweats | 37.4 | .98** | .96-.99 | .98* | .96-.99 |
Worrying | 43.5 | .95+ | .94-.96 | .95+ | .94-.97 |
Problems with sexual interest | 28.3 | .97+ | .95-.98 | .95+ | .93-.97 |
Itching | 28.0 | .98* | .97-.99 | .99 | .98-1.01 |
Lack of appetite | 33.9 | .99 | .97-1.00 | .99 | .98-1.01 |
Dizziness | 23.8 | .99 | .98-1.01 | .99 | .98-1.01 |
Difficulty swallowing | 15.7 | 1.00 | .98-1.02 | 1.00 | .98-1.02 |
Feeling irritable | 40.8 | .96+ | .95-.97 | .96+ | .95-.98 |
Mouth sores | 13.7 | 1.00 | .98-1.02 | 1.01 | .99-1.03 |
Changes in the way food tastes | 30.5 | 1.00 | .99-1.02 | 1.01 | .99-1.03 |
Weight loss | 23.1 | .99 | .98-1.01 | 1.00 | .98-1.02 |
Hair loss | 20.7 | .98* | .97-.99 | .99 | .97-1.01 |
Constipation | 32.2 | 1.00 | .99-1.01 | 1.00 | .98-1.01 |
Swelling of arms or legs | 16.4 | 1.01 | .99-1.03 | 1.02 | 1.00-1.04 |
I don’t look like myself | 27.3 | .97+ | .95-.98 | .98* | .96-.99 |
Changes in skin | 28.2 | .96+ | .94-.97 | .98** | .96-.99 |
Symptom | Occurrence rates (%) by age group | Unadjusted values | Adjusted values | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Older age | Older age | |||||
<60 | ≥60 | Odds ratio | CI | Odds ratio | CI | |
Difficulty concentrating | 57.0 | 37.0 | .44+ | .32-.62 | .58** | .40-.85 |
Pain | 73.0 | 57.0 | .49+ | .35-.69 | .51** | .34-.75 |
Lack of energy | 81.7 | 69.1 | .50+ | .34-.74 | .69 | .44-1.08 |
Cough | 40.3 | 35.5 | .81 | .58-1.14 | .89 | .60-1.32 |
Feeling nervous | 39.5 | 26.7 | .56** | .39-.79 | .61* | .41-.91 |
Dry mouth | 43.7 | 42.1 | .94 | .68-1.30 | 1.10 | .75-1.62 |
Nausea | 38.0 | 25.8 | .57** | .40-.80 | .52** | .34-.79 |
Feeling drowsy | 65.0 | 53.6 | .62** | .45-.87 | .68* | .47-.99 |
Numbness/tingling in hands/feet | 36.1 | 28.5 | .70* | .50-.99 | .76 | .51-1.14 |
Difficulty sleeping | 63.9 | 44.8 | .46+ | .33-.64 | .55** | .38-.80 |
Feeling bloated | 31.9 | 19.1 | .50+ | .35-.73 | .51** | .33-.78 |
Problems with urination | 21.3 | 36.1 | 2.09+ | 1.44-3.02 | 1.18 | .76-1.83 |
Vomiting | 17.5 | 10.9 | .58* | .36-.92 | .41** | .23-.72 |
Shortness of breath | 37.6 | 32.1 | .78 | .56-1.10 | .73 | .48-1.11 |
Diarrhea | 21.7 | 21.8 | 1.01 | .68-1.49 | .86 | .54-1.35 |
Feeling sad | 52.1 | 31.2 | .42+ | .30-.58 | .46+ | .31-.67 |
Sweats | 45.2 | 31.2 | .55+ | .39-.77 | .60** | .41-.88 |
Worrying | 57.8 | 32.1 | .35+ | .25-.48 | .39+ | .27-.56 |
Problems with sexual interest | 35.7 | 22.4 | .52+ | .36-.75 | .34+ | .22-54 |
Itching | 34.2 | 23.0 | .58** | .40-.83 | .72 | .47-1.08 |
Lack of appetite | 38.0 | 30.6 | .72 | .51-1.01 | .68 | .45-1.02 |
Dizziness | 27.0 | 21.2 | .73 | .50-1.06 | .71 | .46-1.10 |
Difficulty swallowing | 16.3 | 15.2 | .91 | .59-1.43 | .92 | .55-1.56 |
Feeling irritable | 51.7 | 32.1 | .44+ | .32-.62 | .47+ | .32-.69 |
Mouth sores | 14.8 | 12.7 | .84 | .52-1.34 | .91 | .54-1.54 |
Changes in the way food tastes | 31.2 | 30.0 | .95 | .67-1.34 | 1.09 | .71-1.68 |
Weight loss | 23.2 | 23.0 | .99 | .68-1.46 | 1.10 | .69-1.73 |
Hair loss | 23.6 | 18.5 | .74 | .49-1.09 | .90 | .55-1.49 |
Constipation | 33.8 | 30.9 | .87 | .62-1.24 | .82 | .55-1.22 |
Swelling of arms or legs | 16.3 | 16.4 | 1.00 | .65-1.55 | 1.10 | .66-1.82 |
I don’t look like myself | 35.4 | 20.9 | .48+ | .34-.70 | .64* | .42-.98 |
Changes in skin | 38.0 | 20.3 | .42+ | .29-.60 | .62* | .41-.94 |
Differences in symptom severity ratings between older and younger patients
Symptom | Sample size | Age group | Mean score | Severity ratings† (%) | Unadjusted values | Adjusted values | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Older age | Older age | ||||||||||||
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OR | CI | p-value | OR | CI | p-value | ||||
Difficulty concentrating | 149 | <60 | 1.67 | 44.3 | 45.0 | 10.1 | 0.7 | .80 | .50-1.28 | .353 | .78 | .46-1.32 | .354 |
115 | ≥60 | 1.61 | 50.4 | 40.0 | 7.8 | 1.7 | |||||||
Pain | 192 | <60 | 2.08 | 24.5 | 47.9 | 22.9 | 4.7 | 1.08 | .74-1.58 | .674 | .97 | .64-1.49 | .898 |
181 | ≥60 | 2.12 | 24.3 | 45.3 | 24.3 | 6.1 | |||||||
Lack of energy | 214 | <60 | 2.15 | 15.4 | 57.5 | 23.8 | 3.3 | .91 | .64-1.31 | .622 | .81 | .55-1.21 | .311 |
217 | ≥60 | 2.13 | 21.7 | 49.8 | 22.1 | 6.5 | |||||||
Cough | 102 | <60 | 1.74 | 46.1 | 36.3 | 15.7 | 2.0 | 1.04 | .63-1.73 | .870 | .86 | .47-1.55 | .609 |
110 | ≥60 | 1.75 | 44.5 | 38.2 | 14.5 | 2.7 | |||||||
Feeling nervous | 103 | <60 | 1.83 | 35.9 | 47.6 | 13.6 | 2.9 | .81 | .47-1.40 | .452 | .81 | .42-1.54 | .514 |
85 | ≥60 | 1.78 | 40.0 | 48.2 | 5.9 | 5.9 | |||||||
Dry mouth | 110 | <60 | 2.06 | 28.2 | 41.8 | 25.5 | 4.5 | .64 | .40-1.03 | .068 | .54 | .32-.91 | .020 |
131 | ≥60 | 1.89 | 38.2 | 41.2 | 14.5 | 6.1 | |||||||
Nausea | 99 | <60 | 1.99 | 31.3 | 42.4 | 22.2 | 4.0 | .64 | .37-1.10 | .107 | .62 | .33-1.14 | .123 |
81 | ≥60 | 1.80 | 43.2 | 37.0 | 16.0 | 3.7 | |||||||
Feeling drowsy | 167 | <60 | 1.95 | 24.6 | 58.1 | 15.6 | 1.8 | .68 | .45-1.03 | .068 | .61 | .38-.96 | .033 |
169 | ≥60 | 1.82 | 32.5 | 55.0 | 10.7 | 1.8 | |||||||
Numbness/tingling in hands/feet | 94 | <60 | 1.85 | 36.2 | 45.7 | 14.9 | 3.2 | .90 | .53-1.55 | .710 | .79 | .42-1.52 | .484 |
91 | ≥60 | 1.85 | 41.8 | 38.5 | 13.2 | 6.6 | |||||||
Difficulty sleeping | 168 | <60 | 2.23 | 14.9 | 54.8 | 23.2 | 7.1 | .87 | .56-1.33 | .512 | .67 | .42-1.09 | .108 |
141 | ≥60 | 2.16 | 17.0 | 54.6 | 24.1 | 4.3 | |||||||
Feeling bloated | 82 | <60 | 1.91 | 30.5 | 51.2 | 14.6 | 3.7 | .77 | .40-1.47 | .429 | .77 | .36-1.66 | .510 |
55 | ≥60 | 1.82 | 36.4 | 49.1 | 10.9 | 3.6 | |||||||
Problems with urination | 54 | <60 | 1.96 | 33.3 | 42.6 | 18.5 | 5.6 | 1.14 | .61-2.11 | .685 | 1.10 | .56-2.18 | .777 |
110 | ≥60 | 2.01 | 26.4 | 52.7 | 14.5 | 6.4 | |||||||
Vomiting | 43 | <60 | 1.91 | 41.9 | 32.6 | 18.6 | 7.0 | .90 | .38-2.14 | .811 | .51 | .17-1.54 | .232 |
29 | ≥60 | 1.79 | 37.9 | 44.8 | 17.2 | 0.0 | |||||||
Shortness of breath | 97 | <60 | 1.78 | 40.2 | 45.4 | 10.3 | 4.1 | 1.52 | .90-2.58 | .116 | 1.27 | .71-2.29 | .423 |
99 | ≥60 | 2.00 | 33.3 | 42.4 | 15.2 | 9.1 | |||||||
Diarrhea | 54 | <60 | 1.93 | 24.1 | 61.1 | 13.0 | 1.9 | .67 | .33-1.35 | .263 | .62 | .27-1.42 | .258 |
63 | ≥60 | 1.81 | 36.5 | 49.2 | 11.1 | 3.2 | |||||||
Feeling sad | 137 | <60 | 1.99 | 30.7 | 43.8 | 21.2 | 4.4 | .43 | .26-.72 | .001 | .43 | .24-.76 | .003 |
93 | ≥60 | 1.66 | 46.2 | 46.2 | 3.2 | 4.3 | |||||||
Sweats | 117 | <60 | 2.14 | 23.9 | 44.4 | 25.6 | 6.0 | .54 | .33-.91 | .019 | .56 | .31-.997 | .049 |
95 | ≥60 | 1.86 | 34.7 | 46.3 | 16.8 | 2.1 | |||||||
Worrying | 152 | <60 | 2.10 | 20.4 | 58.6 | 11.8 | 9.2 | .43 | .26-.72 | .001 | .52 | .30-.90 | .020 |
101 | ≥60 | 1.77 | 38.6 | 49.5 | 7.9 | 4.0 | |||||||
Problems with sexual interest | 92 | <60 | 2.50 | 22.8 | 31.5 | 18.5 | 27.2 | 1.43 | .82-2.52 | .212 | 1.12 | .57-2.19 | .745 |
69 | ≥60 | 2.72 | 18.8 | 24.6 | 21.7 | 34.8 | |||||||
Itching | 88 | <60 | 1.86 | 38.6 | 43.2 | 11.4 | 6.8 | .84 | .46-1.52 | .562 | .89 | .46-1.75 | .745 |
69 | ≥60 | 1.78 | 42.0 | 43.5 | 8.7 | 5.8 | |||||||
Lack of appetite | 99 | <60 | 2.00 | 27.3 | 49.5 | 19.2 | 4.0 | .96 | .57-1.64 | .886 | .77 | .42-1.43 | .409 |
94 | ≥60 | 2.00 | 27.7 | 51.1 | 14.9 | 6.4 | |||||||
Dizziness | 69 | <60 | 1.54 | 55.1 | 37.7 | 5.8 | 1.4 | .84 | .43-1.65 | .615 | .61 | .27-1.39 | .241 |
64 | ≥60 | 1.48 | 59.4 | 34.4 | 4.7 | 1.6 | |||||||
Difficulty swallowing | 40 | <60 | 2.03 | 27.5 | 45.0 | 25.0 | 2.5 | .53 | .23-1.21 | .133 | .39 | .14-1.10 | .074 |
43 | ≥60 | 1.79 | 37.2 | 51.2 | 7.0 | 4.7 | |||||||
Feeling irritable | 135 | <60 | 1.77 | 40.7 | 42.2 | 16.3 | 0.7 | .82 | .50-1.34 | .425 | .65 | .37-1.15 | .142 |
98 | ≥60 | 1.68 | 41.8 | 49.0 | 8.2 | 1.0 | |||||||
Mouth sores | 37 | <60 | 1.86 | 43.2 | 35.1 | 13.5 | 8.1 | .55 | .23-1.34 | .188 | .52 | .19-1.43 | .205 |
35 | ≥60 | 1.60 | 60.0 | 22.9 | 14.3 | 2.9 | |||||||
Change in way food tastes | 79 | <60 | 2.06 | 27.8 | 48.1 | 13.9 | 10.1 | .81 | .46-1.43 | .476 | 1.05 | .57-1.93 | .883 |
91 | ≥60 | 1.96 | 31.9 | 47.3 | 14.3 | 6.6 | |||||||
Weight loss | 60 | <60 | 1.67 | 48.3 | 38.3 | 11.7 | 1.7 | .87 | .45-1.69 | .674 | .60 | .28-1.30 | .196 |
67 | ≥60 | 1.63 | 52.2 | 35.8 | 9.0 | 3.0 | |||||||
Hair loss | 61 | <60 | 2.38 | 27.9 | 26.2 | 26.2 | 19.7 | .97 | .50-1.88 | .921 | .77 | .36-1.61 | .482 |
52 | ≥60 | 2.37 | 32.7 | 23.1 | 19.2 | 25.0 | |||||||
Constipation | 87 | <60 | 2.38 | 17.2 | 40.2 | 29.9 | 12.6 | .67 | .39-1.14 | .139 | .74 | .42-1.32 | .308 |
96 | ≥60 | 2.19 | 24.0 | 43.8 | 21.9 | 10.4 | |||||||
Swelling of arms or legs | 42 | <60 | 2.19 | 33.3 | 31.0 | 19.0 | 16.7 | .92 | .43-1.98 | .837 | .86 | .36-2.04 | .734 |
47 | ≥60 | 2.09 | 25.5 | 44.7 | 25.5 | 4.3 | |||||||
I don’t look like myself | 91 | <60 | 2.14 | 24.2 | 47.3 | 18.7 | 9.9 | .52 | .28-.95 | .033 | .49 | .25-.96 | .037 |
62 | ≥60 | 1.82 | 43.5 | 32.3 | 22.6 | 1.6 | |||||||
Changes in skin | 99 | <60 | 2.07 | 24.2 | 53.5 | 13.1 | 9.1 | .63 | .34-1.16 | .140 | .80 | .41-1.56 | .510 |
61 | ≥60 | 1.89 | 37.7 | 42.6 | 13.1 | 6.6 |
Differences in symptom frequency ratings between older and younger patients
Symptom | Sample size | Age group | Mean score | Frequency ratings† (%) | Unadjusted values | Adjusted values | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Older age | Older age | ||||||||||||
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OR | CI | p-value | OR | CI | p-value | ||||
Difficulty concentrating | 150 | <60 | 2.19 | 22.7 | 44.0 | 25.3 | 8.0 | .78 | .50-1.21 | .269 | .76 | .46-1.25 | .277 |
122 | ≥60 | 2.08 | 24.6 | 50.8 | 16.4 | 8.2 | |||||||
Pain | 192 | <60 | 2.64 | 13.0 | 33.3 | 30.2 | 23.4 | .96 | .67-1.38 | .829 | .95 | .63-1.44 | .825 |
188 | ≥60 | 2.62 | 14.9 | 32.4 | 28.7 | 23.9 | |||||||
Lack of energy | 215 | <60 | 2.82 | 5.1 | 30.2 | 42.3 | 22.3 | .88 | .62-1.23 | .446 | .77 | .53-1.13 | .179 |
228 | ≥60 | 2.74 | 10.5 | 32.0 | 30.3 | 27.2 | |||||||
Cough | 106 | <60 | 2.12 | 26.4 | 41.5 | 25.5 | 6.6 | .98 | .61-1.59 | .937 | .72 | .42-1.25 | .246 |
117 | ≥60 | 2.12 | 26.5 | 42.7 | 23.1 | 7.7 | |||||||
Feeling nervous | 104 | <60 | 2.13 | 22.1 | 48.1 | 24.0 | 5.8 | .57 | .33-.97 | .038 | .52 | .27-.99 | .046 |
88 | ≥60 | 1.92 | 35.2 | 45.5 | 11.4 | 8.0 | |||||||
Dry mouth | 115 | <60 | 2.66 | 13.9 | 26.1 | 40.0 | 20.0 | .66 | .42-1.03 | .070 | .52 | .32-.85 | .009 |
139 | ≥60 | 2.44 | 20.9 | 31.7 | 30.2 | 17.3 | |||||||
Nausea | 100 | <60 | 2.23 | 23.0 | 40.0 | 28.0 | 9.0 | .55 | .32-.94 | .028 | .54 | .29-.99 | .047 |
85 | ≥60 | 1.95 | 34.1 | 43.5 | 15.3 | 7.1 | |||||||
Feeling drowsy | 171 | <60 | 2.40 | 11.7 | 44.4 | 36.3 | 7.6 | .82 | .56-1.22 | .338 | .65 | .42-1.01 | .058 |
176 | ≥60 | 2.34 | 11.9 | 52.3 | 25.6 | 10.2 | |||||||
Numbness/tingling in hands/feet | 95 | <60 | 2.63 | 16.8 | 36.8 | 12.6 | 33.7 | 1.08 | .65-1.81 | .771 | .94 | .52-1.72 | .846 |
94 | ≥60 | 2.68 | 20.2 | 23.4 | 24.5 | 31.9 | |||||||
Difficulty sleeping | 168 | <60 | 2.70 | 9.5 | 32.1 | 37.5 | 20.8 | .88 | .59-1.32 | .541 | .64 | .41-1.02 | .058 |
147 | ≥60 | 2.63 | 9.5 | 32.7 | 42.9 | 15.0 | |||||||
Feeling bloated | 84 | <60 | 2.39 | 22.6 | 32.1 | 28.6 | 16.7 | .54 | .29-.98 | .042 | .49 | .24-.99 | .046 |
63 | ≥60 | 2.06 | 28.6 | 47.6 | 12.7 | 11.1 | |||||||
Problems with urination | 56 | <60 | 2.39 | 21.4 | 33.9 | 28.6 | 16.1 | 1.52 | .84-2.73 | .164 | 1.29 | .68-2.46 | .438 |
119 | ≥60 | 2.61 | 11.8 | 33.6 | 37.0 | 17.6 | |||||||
Vomiting | 46 | <60 | 1.87 | 39.1 | 41.3 | 13.0 | 6.5 | .85 | .38-1.93 | .705 | .46 | .15-1.38 | .165 |
36 | ≥60 | 1.81 | 44.4 | 36.1 | 13.9 | 5.6 | |||||||
Shortness of breath | 99 | <60 | 2.17 | 19.2 | 52.5 | 20.2 | 8.1 | 1.30 | .78-2.14 | .311 | .97 | .55-1.70 | .916 |
106 | ≥60 | 2.35 | 25.5 | 34.0 | 20.8 | 19.8 | |||||||
Diarrhea | 57 | <60 | 2.12 | 22.8 | 47.4 | 24.6 | 5.3 | .56 | .29-1.10 | .094 | .47 | .21-1.03 | .059 |
72 | ≥60 | 1.89 | 29.2 | 55.6 | 12.5 | 2.8 | |||||||
Feeling sad | 137 | <60 | 2.05 | 28.5 | 42.3 | 24.8 | 4.4 | .99 | .62-1.59 | .978 | .79 | .46-1.36 | .386 |
103 | ≥60 | 2.08 | 27.2 | 47.6 | 15.5 | 9.7 | |||||||
Sweats | 119 | <60 | 2.39 | 16.8 | 37.0 | 36.1 | 10.1 | .66 | .41-1.07 | .093 | .64 | .37-1.12 | .121 |
103 | ≥60 | 2.21 | 22.3 | 44.7 | 22.3 | 10.7 | |||||||
Worrying | 152 | <60 | 2.41 | 9.9 | 52.0 | 25.0 | 13.2 | .59 | .36-.94 | .028 | .63 | .37-1.08 | .094 |
106 | ≥60 | 2.20 | 22.6 | 48.1 | 16.0 | 13.2 | |||||||
Problems with sexual interest | 93 | <60 | 2.86 | 15.1 | 23.7 | 21.5 | 39.8 | 1.07 | .61-1.86 | .821 | 1.04 | .53-2.02 | .916 |
74 | ≥60 | 2.89 | 17.6 | 17.6 | 23.0 | 41.9 | |||||||
Itching | 90 | <60 | 2.38 | 14.4 | 46.7 | 25.6 | 13.3 | .72 | .41-1.27 | .254 | .71 | .38-1.33 | .289 |
76 | ≥60 | 2.21 | 23.7 | 40.8 | 26.3 | 9.2 | |||||||
Lack of appetite | 100 | <60 | 2.44 | 18.0 | 39.0 | 24.0 | 19.0 | 1.44 | .88-2.38 | .149 | 1.16 | .66-2.05 | .598 |
101 | ≥60 | 2.64 | 18.8 | 24.8 | 29.7 | 26.7 | |||||||
Dizziness | 71 | <60 | 1.82 | 39.4 | 40.8 | 18.3 | 1.4 | .96 | .52-1.78 | .902 | .78 | .38-1.61 | .502 |
70 | ≥60 | 1.81 | 38.6 | 45.7 | 11.4 | 4.3 | |||||||
Difficulty swallowing | 43 | <60 | 2.23 | 30.2 | 32.6 | 20.9 | 16.3 | .87 | .41-1.81 | .701 | .56 | .23-1.38 | .207 |
50 | ≥60 | 2.14 | 32.0 | 34.0 | 22.0 | 12.0 | |||||||
Feeling irritable | 136 | <60 | 1.99 | 30.1 | 44.1 | 22.1 | 3.7 | .78 | .48-1.25 | .300 | .67 | .38-1.17 | .161 |
105 | ≥60 | 1.88 | 33.3 | 47.6 | 17.1 | 1.9 | |||||||
Mouth sores | 39 | <60 | 2.21 | 38.5 | 28.2 | 7.7 | 25.6 | .73 | .33-1.63 | .447 | .75 | .29-1.93 | .553 |
42 | ≥60 | 2.02 | 47.6 | 23.8 | 7.1 | 21.4 | |||||||
Change in way food tastes | 80 | <60 | 2.54 | 17.5 | 31.3 | 31.3 | 20.0 | 1.11 | .65-1.88 | .709 | 1.16 | .65-2.08 | .616 |
98 | ≥60 | 2.60 | 16.3 | 33.7 | 23.5 | 26.5 | |||||||
Weight loss | 59 | <60 | 2.07 | 22.0 | 55.9 | 15.3 | 6.8 | .76 | .40-1.44 | .400 | .56 | .27-1.16 | .120 |
75 | ≥60 | 1.99 | 34.7 | 41.3 | 14.7 | 9.3 | |||||||
Hair loss | 62 | <60 | 2.85 | 16.1 | 22.6 | 21.0 | 40.3 | 1.02 | .53-1.95 | .953 | .89 | .43-1.84 | .745 |
60 | ≥60 | 2.85 | 21.7 | 15.0 | 20.0 | 43.3 | |||||||
Constipation | 89 | <60 | 2.53 | 14.6 | 40.4 | 22.5 | 22.5 | .82 | .49-1.38 | .455 | .87 | .49-1.53 | .626 |
102 | ≥60 | 2.42 | 15.7 | 45.1 | 20.6 | 18.6 | |||||||
Swelling of arms or legs | 43 | <60 | 2.67 | 23.3 | 23.3 | 16.3 | 37.2 | 1.04 | .51-2.15 | .906 | .91 | .39-2.12 | .832 |
54 | ≥60 | 2.70 | 24.1 | 20.4 | 16.7 | 38.9 | |||||||
I don’t look like myself | 92 | <60 | 2.67 | 15.2 | 29.3 | 28.3 | 27.2 | .79 | .45-1.39 | .420 | .84 | .45-1.57 | .587 |
69 | ≥60 | 2.54 | 20.3 | 27.5 | 30.4 | 21.7 | |||||||
Changes in skin | 100 | <60 | 2.77 | 15.0 | 24.0 | 30.0 | 31.0 | .69 | .39-1.20 | .188 | .97 | .52-1.82 | .929 |
67 | ≥60 | 2.54 | 23.9 | 25.4 | 23.9 | 26.9 |
Differences in symptom distress ratings between older and younger patients
Symptom | Sample size | Age group | Mean score | Distress ratings† (%) | Unadjusted values | Adjusted values | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Older age | Older age | |||||||||||||
0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OR | CI | p-value | OR | CI | p-value | ||||
Difficulty concentrating | 147 | <60 | 1.52 | 17.7 | 38.1 | 22.4 | 18.4 | 3.4 | .71 | .45-1.10 | .124 | .82 | .50-1.34 | .424 |
116 | ≥60 | 1.33 | 25.0 | 37.9 | 21.6 | 10.3 | 5.2 | |||||||
Pain | 192 | <60 | 2.01 | 6.3 | 32.3 | 29.2 | 19.3 | 13.0 | .63 | .43-.90 | .012 | .65 | .43-.98 | .041 |
183 | ≥60 | 1.69 | 15.8 | 32.2 | 26.2 | 18.0 | 7.7 | |||||||
Lack of energy | 212 | <60 | 2.04 | 8.5 | 26.4 | 30.2 | 22.6 | 12.3 | .54 | .39-.77 | <.001 | .57 | .39-.83 | .004 |
220 | ≥60 | 1.64 | 20.5 | 30.5 | 22.3 | 18.6 | 8.2 | |||||||
Cough | 103 | <60 | 1.39 | 29.1 | 28.2 | 24.3 | 11.7 | 6.8 | .60 | .37-.97 | .037 | .52 | .29-.91 | .022 |
112 | ≥60 | 1.07 | 42.9 | 25.0 | 19.6 | 7.1 | 5.4 | |||||||
Feeling nervous | 102 | <60 | 1.70 | 10.8 | 38.2 | 26.5 | 19.6 | 4.9 | .51 | .30-.87 | .013 | .57 | .30-1.06 | .075 |
85 | ≥60 | 1.33 | 23.5 | 40.0 | 22.4 | 8.2 | 5.9 | |||||||
Dry mouth | 111 | <60 | 1.45 | 22.5 | 37.8 | 20.7 | 9.9 | 9.0 | .50 | .32-.80 | .003 | .47 | .29-.76 | .002 |
133 | ≥60 | 1.05 | 42.1 | 29.3 | 15.8 | 7.5 | 5.3 | |||||||
Nausea | 99 | <60 | 1.84 | 12.1 | 32.3 | 29.3 | 12.1 | 14.1 | .47 | .27-.80 | .006 | .46 | .25-.86 | .015 |
81 | ≥60 | 1.37 | 33.3 | 29.6 | 13.6 | 13.6 | 9.9 | |||||||
Feeling drowsy | 165 | <60 | 1.39 | 21.2 | 39.4 | 23.0 | 12.1 | 4.2 | .53 | .36-.79 | .002 | .52 | .34-.80 | .003 |
167 | ≥60 | 1.07 | 40.1 | 31.7 | 13.8 | 9.6 | 4.8 | |||||||
Numbness/tingling in hands/feet | 94 | <60 | 1.40 | 21.3 | 39.4 | 20.2 | 16.0 | 3.2 | .72 | .43-1.21 | .212 | .84 | .46-1.56 | .586 |
91 | ≥60 | 1.25 | 33.0 | 33.0 | 16.5 | 11.0 | 6.6 | |||||||
Difficulty sleeping | 166 | <60 | 2.01 | 9.6 | 29.5 | 25.9 | 19.9 | 15.1 | .61 | .41-.92 | .017 | .54 | .35-.86 | .008 |
142 | ≥60 | 1.66 | 19.0 | 27.5 | 29.6 | 16.2 | 7.7 | |||||||
Feeling bloated | 81 | <60 | 1.85 | 16.0 | 24.7 | 27.2 | 22.2 | 9.9 | .43 | .23-.81 | .008 | .38 | .18-.80 | .011 |
56 | ≥60 | 1.30 | 19.6 | 42.9 | 26.8 | 8.9 | 1.8 | |||||||
Problems with urination | 54 | <60 | 1.57 | 24.1 | 25.9 | 25.9 | 16.7 | 7.4 | 1.21 | .67-2.19 | .530 | .91 | .47-1.76 | .783 |
108 | ≥60 | 1.70 | 14.8 | 32.4 | 31.5 | 10.2 | 11.1 | |||||||
Vomiting | 43 | <60 | 1.63 | 23.3 | 32.6 | 16.3 | 14.0 | 14.0 | .78 | .34-1.79 | .553 | .58 | .21-1.62 | .298 |
30 | ≥60 | 1.43 | 33.3 | 20.0 | 26.7 | 10.0 | 10.0 | |||||||
Shortness of breath | 97 | <60 | 1.63 | 14.4 | 41.2 | 21.6 | 12.4 | 10.3 | .79 | .48-1.30 | .347 | .80 | .46-1.39 | .427 |
100 | ≥60 | 1.47 | 28.0 | 26.0 | 24.0 | 15.0 | 7.0 | |||||||
Diarrhea | 54 | <60 | 1.59 | 18.5 | 38.9 | 14.8 | 20.4 | 7.4 | .69 | .36-1.34 | .274 | .61 | .28-1.31 | .204 |
63 | ≥60 | 1.32 | 25.4 | 33.3 | 30.2 | 6.3 | 4.8 | |||||||
Feeling sad | 137 | <60 | 1.87 | 8.0 | 36.5 | 27.0 | 17.5 | 10.9 | .47 | .29-.77 | .003 | .49 | .28-.85 | .011 |
94 | ≥60 | 1.41 | 14.9 | 46.8 | 24.5 | 9.6 | 4.3 | |||||||
Sweats | 117 | <60 | 1.75 | 17.1 | 29.1 | 28.2 | 12.8 | 12.8 | .49 | .30-.80 | .005 | .56 | .32-.98 | .040 |
95 | ≥60 | 1.26 | 24.2 | 40.0 | 24.2 | 8.4 | 3.2 | |||||||
Worrying | 151 | <60 | 1.93 | 7.3 | 34.4 | 28.5 | 17.9 | 11.9 | .45 | .28-.72 | .001 | .57 | .34-.96 | .033 |
101 | ≥60 | 1.46 | 8.9 | 53.5 | 23.8 | 10.9 | 3.0 | |||||||
Problems with sexual interest | 91 | <60 | 2.08 | 22.0 | 19.8 | 15.4 | 14.3 | 28.6 | .96 | .55-1.66 | .875 | .89 | .46-1.73 | .731 |
69 | ≥60 | 2.03 | 18.8 | 20.3 | 24.6 | 11.6 | 24.6 | |||||||
Itching | 88 | <60 | 1.56 | 15.9 | 40.9 | 25.0 | 8.0 | 10.2 | .82 | .46-1.45 | .497 | 1.04 | .55-1.95 | .908 |
69 | ≥60 | 1.42 | 24.6 | 31.9 | 27.5 | 8.7 | 7.2 | |||||||
Lack of appetite | 99 | <60 | 1.38 | 27.3 | 31.3 | 24.2 | 10.1 | 7.1 | .85 | .51-1.41 | .529 | .85 | .48-1.51 | .589 |
96 | ≥60 | 1.28 | 32.3 | 29.2 | 21.9 | 11.5 | 5.2 | |||||||
Dizziness | 69 | <60 | 1.32 | 23.2 | 37.7 | 26.1 | 10.1 | 2.9 | .84 | .45-1.56 | .572 | .62 | .30-1.29 | .202 |
63 | ≥60 | 1.25 | 23.8 | 46.0 | 15.9 | 9.5 | 4.8 | |||||||
Difficulty swallowing | 40 | <60 | 1.65 | 10.0 | 40.0 | 30.0 | 15.0 | 5.0 | .96 | .44-2.09 | .924 | .85 | .35-2.06 | .724 |
43 | ≥60 | 1.63 | 20.9 | 27.9 | 23.3 | 23.3 | 4.7 | |||||||
Feeling irritable | 135 | <60 | 1.49 | 21.5 | 34.8 | 24.4 | 11.9 | 7.4 | .79 | .49-1.27 | .335 | .82 | .48-1.42 | .485 |
96 | ≥60 | 1.31 | 18.8 | 47.9 | 17.7 | 14.6 | 1.0 | |||||||
Mouth sores | 36 | <60 | 1.67 | 22.2 | 30.6 | 19.4 | 13.9 | 13.9 | .46 | .20-1.09 | .079 | .41 | .16-1.03 | .058 |
35 | ≥60 | 1.11 | 31.4 | 42.9 | 11.4 | 11.4 | 2.9 | |||||||
Change in way food tastes | 78 | <60 | 1.69 | 17.9 | 32.1 | 25.6 | 11.5 | 12.8 | .47 | .27-.81 | .007 | .57 | .31-1.05 | .072 |
89 | ≥60 | 1.18 | 32.6 | 36.0 | 14.6 | 14.6 | 2.2 | |||||||
Weight loss | 61 | <60 | 1.05 | 45.9 | 26.2 | 13.1 | 6.6 | 8.2 | .67 | .35-1.29 | .232 | .51 | .24-1.09 | .082 |
68 | ≥60 | 0.78 | 54.4 | 26.5 | 8.8 | 7.4 | 2.9 | |||||||
Hair loss | 61 | <60 | 1.74 | 19.7 | 29.5 | 21.3 | 16.4 | 13.1 | .50 | .26-.97 | .041 | .48 | .23-.99 | .048 |
55 | ≥60 | 1.29 | 43.6 | 20.0 | 9.1 | 18.2 | 9.1 | |||||||
Constipation | 87 | <60 | 2.09 | 13.8 | 23.0 | 25.3 | 16.1 | 21.8 | .68 | .41-1.14 | .145 | .74 | .42-1.29 | .285 |
95 | ≥60 | 1.80 | 23.2 | 25.3 | 15.8 | 20.0 | 15.8 | |||||||
Swelling of arms or legs | 42 | <60 | 1.64 | 28.6 | 23.8 | 19.0 | 11.9 | 16.7 | .96 | .46-2.01 | .913 | 1.11 | .46-2.67 | .819 |
48 | ≥60 | 1.58 | 27.1 | 25.0 | 18.8 | 20.8 | 8.3 | |||||||
I don’t look like myself | 91 | <60 | 1.89 | 11.0 | 36.3 | 19.8 | 18.7 | 14.3 | .32 | .17-.58 | <.001 | .30 | .15-.58 | <.001 |
64 | ≥60 | 1.14 | 34.4 | 34.4 | 17.2 | 10.9 | 3.1 | |||||||
Changes in skin | 99 | <60 | 1.76 | 11.1 | 36.4 | 29.3 | 12.1 | 11.1 | .41 | .23-.76 | .004 | .51 | .27-.98 | .043 |
62 | ≥60 | 1.26 | 38.7 | 24.2 | 17.7 | 11.3 | 8.1 |
Differences in MSAS subscale and total scores between younger and older patients
Scale | Unadjusted scores | Adjusted scores | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mean (Standard deviation) | Mean (Standard error) | |||||
< 60 years | ≥ 60 years | p-value | < 60 years | ≥ 60 years | p-value | |
Physical subscale | .92 (.63) | .70 (.58) | <.0001 | .90 (.04) | .70 (.03) | <.0001 |
Psychological subscale | 1.15 (.84) | .67 (.69) | <.0001 | 1.10 (.05) | .70 (.04) | <.0001 |
Global Distress Index | 1.17 (.74) | .78 (.70) | <.0001 | 1.13 (.04) | .81 (.04) | <.0001 |
Total MSAS score | .84 (.50) | .60 (.46) | <.0001 | .81 (.03) | .60 (.03) | <.0001 |
Differences in rankings of symptoms with highest occurrence, severity, frequency, and distress ratings between older and younger patients
OCCURRENCE RATINGS | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | < 60 | ≥ 60 | ||||
Symptom | % of patients | Symptom | % of patients | |||
1 | Lack of energy | 81.7 | Lack of energy | 69.1 | ||
2 | Pain | 73.0 | Pain | 57.0 | ||
3 | Feeling drowsy | 65.0 | Feeling drowsy | 53.6 | ||
4 | Difficulty sleeping | 63.9 | Difficulty sleeping | 44.8 | ||
5 | Worrying | 57.8 | Dry mouth | 42.1 | ||
6 | Difficulty concentrating | 57.0 | Difficulty concentrating | 37.0 | ||
7 | Feeling sad | 52.1 | Problems with urination | 36.1 | ||
8 | Feeling irritable | 51.7 | Cough | 35.5 | ||
9 | Sweats | 45.2 | Shortness of breath | 32.1 | ||
10 | Dry mouth | 43.7 | Worrying | 32.1 | ||
Feeling irritable | 32.1 | |||||
SEVERITY RATINGS
| ||||||
Rank | Symptom | Mean score | Symptom | Mean score | ||
1 | Problems with sexual interest | 2.50 | Problems with sexual interest | 2.72 | ||
2 | Hair loss | 2.38 | Hair loss | 2.37 | ||
3 | Constipation | 2.38 | Constipation | 2.19 | ||
4 | Difficulty sleeping | 2.23 | Difficulty sleeping | 2.16 | ||
5 | Swelling of arms or legs | 2.19 | Lack of energy | 2.13 | ||
6 | Lack of energy | 2.15 | Pain | 2.12 | ||
7 | Sweats | 2.14 | Swelling of arms or legs | 2.09 | ||
8 | I don’t look like myself | 2.14 | Problems with urination | 2.01 | ||
9 | Worrying | 2.10 | Shortness of breath | 2.00 | ||
10 | Pain | 2.08 | Lack of appetite | 2.00 | ||
FREQUENCY RATINGS
| ||||||
Rank | Symptom | Mean score | Symptom | Mean score | ||
1 | Problems with sexual interest | 2.86 | Problems with sexual interest | 2.89 | ||
2 | Hair loss | 2.85 | Hair loss | 2.85 | ||
3 | Lack of energy | 2.82 | Lack of energy | 2.74 | ||
4 | Changes in skin | 2.77 | Swelling of arms or legs | 2.70 | ||
5 | Difficulty sleeping | 2.70 | Numbness/tingling in hands/feet | 2.68 | ||
6 | Swelling of arms or legs | 2.67 | Lack of appetite | 2.64 | ||
7 | I don’t look like myself | 2.67 | Difficulty sleeping | 2.63 | ||
8 | Dry mouth | 2.66 | Pain | 2.62 | ||
9 | Pain | 2.64 | Problems with urination | 2.61 | ||
10 | Numbness/tingling in hands/feet | 2.63 | Changes in taste | 2.60 | ||
DISTRESS RATINGS
| ||||||
Rank | Symptom | Mean score | Symptom | Mean score | ||
1 | Constipation | 2.09 | Problems with sexual interest | 2.03 | ||
2 | Problems with sexual interest | 2.08 | Constipation | 1.80 | ||
3 | Lack of energy | 2.04 | Problems with urination | 1.70 | ||
4 | Pain | 2.01 | Pain | 1.69 | ||
5 | Difficulty sleeping | 2.01 | Difficulty sleeping | 1.66 | ||
6 | Worrying | 1.93 | Lack of energy | 1.64 | ||
7 | I don’t look like myself | 1.89 | Difficulty swallowing | 1.63 | ||
8 | Feeling sad | 1.87 | Swelling of arms or legs | 1.58 | ||
9 | Feeling bloated | 1.85 | Shortness of breath | 1.47 | ||
10 | Nausea | 1.84 | Worrying | 1.46 |