A NEW study has found that lower cardiopulmonary fitness is strongly associated with more severe symptoms such as depression, poor sleep quality, and fatigue in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. The research was conducted as part of the Alberta Moving Beyond Breast Cancer Cohort Study, analysed data from 1,458 patients within 90 days of diagnosis to assess the relationship between health-related fitness (HRF) and patient-reported symptoms.
Key findings showed that patients with lower peak cardiopulmonary fitness, measured as VO2peak (volume of oxygen consumption), were more likely to experience moderate depression, poor sleep quality, and clinical fatigue. Specifically, lower VO2peak was associated with a threefold increase in the risk of moderate depression and a significant increase in the likelihood of reporting multiple symptoms. These associations persisted even after adjusting for factors like body composition and upper body strength.
The study also highlighted that reduced upper body muscular endurance was independently linked to higher rates of fatigue. Additionally, patients with higher body weight were more likely to experience poor sleep quality, although this relationship followed an inverted U-shaped pattern, suggesting that both underweight and overweight individuals may be more vulnerable to sleep disturbances.
These findings emphasise the importance of cardiopulmonary fitness in managing symptoms associated with breast cancer. Exercise interventions aimed at improving VO2peak and muscular endurance could be key in alleviating common patient-reported symptoms and enhancing the overall quality of life for breast cancer patients. The researchers recommend that clinicians consider incorporating fitness assessments and tailored exercise programs as part of the standard care for newly diagnosed patients to mitigate symptom burden and improve treatment outcomes.
Aleksandra Zurowska, EMJ
Reference
An KY et al. Associations between health-related fitness and patient-reported symptoms in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. J Sport Health Sci. 2024;13(6):851-62.
