Physical health and depression as predictors of fatigue in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy

8591 Background: Fatigue is common in breast cancer patients undergoing systemic chemotherapy and is also linked with depression. We evaluated the importance of physical health and depression in the fatigue reported by women with early-stage breast cancer undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy. Methodology: 75 women treated for Stage I-II breast cancer were assessed within 1mo after initiating chemotherapy (‘baseline‘) and at 2, 6 and 12mo. Scales included the Profile of Mood States (POMS) & SF36 quality of life (QOL) survey. The POMS contains fatigue and depression subscales (higher scores, worse mood symptoms). The SF36 is comprised of 4 physical and 4 mental health subscales (higher scores, better QOL). Results: 26 Stage I (46.4%) and 30 (53.6%) Stage II breast cancer patients provided baseline data (median age 53yrs; range 28–82 yrs). Fatigue decreased significantly from baseline to 12mo (p<0.01). Using Pearson correlations, worse physical health summary scores (r= −0.55, p<0.01) and higher depression scores (r=0.55, p<0.01) were independently linked with fatigue at baseline. In partial correlations controlling for depression, the relationship between physical health and fatigue remained significant (p<0.01), but was reduced in strength by 27%, although, the influence of depression on fatigue diminished over time. Similar patterns were observed for 3 of the SF36 physical health subscales. However, the relationship between fatigue and bodily pain was unchanged when controlling for depression (p<0.01), suggesting a strong independent relationship. In linear regression models, depression predicted fatigue at all time points and was the strongest predictor at baseline and 2mo; however physical health subscales assumed increasing importance in accounting for fatigue at 6 and 12mo. Conclusion: Depression is the strongest predictor of fatigue during chemotherapy, however, over time physical health variables become increasingly important at predicting fatigue in women with early stage breast cancer. Conducted at Washington University, supported by NIH CA72554–02 No significant financial relationships to disclose.