Investigation on aromatase inhibitors-induced arthralgia and quality of life among breast cancer survivors

Objective To investigate arthralgia and quality of life among breast cancer survivors receiving third-generation aromatase inhibitors (AIs). Methods With a cross-sectional study adopted, 204 breast cancer survivors receiving third-generation AIs treatment from the time range between March 2014 to December 2015 in Breast Cancer Prevention and Treatment Center, Beijing Cancer Hospital, were surveyed by general data questionnaire, Numerical rating scale (NRS) and Medical outcomes study 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36), about their arthralgia condition and quality of life. Results Totals of 154 cases (75.5%) of the patients reported arthralgia. The numbers of patients with low level pain, moderate level pain, and severe level pain were 45(29.2%), 66 (42.9%), and 43 (27.9%). Scores of dimensions in SF-36 of patients in the arthralgia group were: role-physical (17.21±34.60) points, bodily pain (42.54±17.79), general health (46.79±23.94), and mental health (56.10±21.98), all lower than those of patients without arthralgia (t=3.309, 22.777, 3.077, 4.981; P<0.01). Conclusions Incidence of arthralgia in breast cancer survivors receiving third-generation aromatase inhibitors is high and it lowers patients′ quality of life severely. Key words: Breast cancer; Quality of life; Arthralgia; Third-generation aromatase inhibitors