The prevalence, distribution and impact of peripheral neuropathy among Danish patients with cancer – a population-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

Prevalence of peripheral neuropathy (PN) has been studied in patients undergoing treatment with taxanes, platinums and vinca alkaloids. The prevalence is unknown in the general oncological cancer population, characterized by advanced age, comorbidities and heterogeneous treatments.

Material and Methods

A cross-sectional survey was administered to all adult patients, attending outpatient services at three Danish departments of oncology. The survey contained the EORTC-CIPN20, the EORTC-QLQ-C30, the GAD7 and PHQ9 questionnaires. A high PN symptom score was defined as a summary score ≥30 points on the CIPN20. P-values were adjusted for multiple testing.

Results

With an overall response rate of 83% (2839 patients), prevalence of PN was 17% overall, varying from 6 to 33% between diagnosis groups.

A high score was more common among females (19 vs. 14%, p = .008), smokers (21 vs. 15%, p = .04), patients living alone (21 vs. 15%, p = .002) and patients using cannabis (29 vs. 15%, p < .001), as well as patients suffering from diabetes (26 vs. 16%, p < .001), cardiac heart disease (27 vs. 16%, p < .001), arthritis (32 vs. 15%, p < .001) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (25 vs. 16%, p = .01). High score patients were also older (69ys vs 67ys, p = .048) and more likely experiencing polypharmacy (OR = 3.38 [95% CI, 2.64;4.35]).

Patients with a high CIPN20 symptom score scored worse on all EORTC QLQ-C30 function and symptom scales. The mean adjusted C30 SumScore difference was −18.66 ([95% CI, −20.31; −17.02], p < .001).

Conclusion

Symptoms of PN are experienced widely across cancer groups in the oncology setting. PN symptoms were associated with clinically relevant worse health-related quality of life and with patient-related factors as living alone, various comorbidities, polypharmacy, and cannabis use.

Keywords:

• Neurological complications
• peripheral neuropathy
• cancer treatment
• adverse effects
• chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

Disclosure statement

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

The authors did not receive financial support from any organization for the submitted work.