Correlation between hemoglobin and quality of life in women undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.

590 Background: Fatigue is a recognized complication of adjuvant chemotherapy and compromises quality of life. We sought to determine the impact of Hemoglobin (Hg) level on physical and mental function using the SF36 in women undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy for localized breast cancer, none received erythropoietic growth factors.,75 women with early stage breast cancer were enrolled in a study addressing psychosocial support for women undergoing adjuvant therapy. Within 30 days of initiating adjuvant therapy, and 2, 6, and 12 mos. afterwards, pts. completed a battery of questionnaires and interviews addressing quality of life and psychosocial adjustment to cancer. The SF36 consists of 8 subscales that are consolidated into separate Physical (physical functioning, role limitations due to physical problems, general health, bodily pain) & Mental (energy/fatigue, social functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems, emotional well-being) Health summary scores. Serial Hg levels were captured retrospectively on 40/46 women treated with chemotherapy. No patient received erythropoietin or red cell transfusions during the course of adjuvant chemotherapy. Simple correlations were conducted between SF36 variables & Hg levels.,The median age was 47.3 yrs. (Range 28 -78 yrs.); 38 (45.5%) were stage I;22 (55.5%) stage II. For this exploratory study, significance level was set at p<.10. At 2 mos. 8 (23.4%) had Hg < 11 mg/dl compared with 4 (12.9%) at 12 mos. We identified no relationship between the level of Hg and the Physical Health or Mental Health summary scores. In the subscale analysis we found a relationship between the Hg at 2 mos. and energy and fatigue at 12 mos. (r=0.71, p=0.002); Hg at 6 mos. and role limitations due to physical problems at 6 mos. (r=0.44, p=0.035); Hg at 12 mos. and role limitations due to emotional problems at 12 mos. (r=0.54; p=0.040).,Low Hg after initiation of chemotherapy predicted for fatigue at 12 mos. despite marrow recovery. This raises the possibility that low Hg levels in response to chemotherapy are a marker of lowered physiologic reserve. This study was conducted at Washington University and supported by NIH CA72554-02 No significant financial relationships to disclose.