Date Thesis Awarded

5-2024

Access Type

Honors Thesis -- Access Restricted On-Campus Only

Degree Name

Bachelors of Science (BS)

Department

Biology

Advisor

Mark Forsyth

Committee Members

Daniel Cristol

Lizabeth Allison

Robin Looft-Wilson

Abstract

Background: In breast cancer survivors, health related quality of life (HRQoL), including physical function, often declines during and after cancer treatment; however, it is uncertain if these declines are associated with skeletal muscle quality.

Methods: Women (n=149, 50.3±10.7 years) diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer (PREVENT-WF-98213) completed PROMIS surveys to report HRQoL and its domains at baseline (prior to initiating cancer treatment), 6 months, and 24 months follow up. Paraspinal intermuscular fat (IMF) and skeletal muscle (SM) were determined by magnetic resonance imaging, and the IMF:SM ratio was calculated to estimate muscle quality. Analyses included linear mixed-effects models adjusting for study group (placebo/statin), age, race, and body mass index.

Results: HRQoL declined from baseline to 6 months but returned to baseline levels by 24-months. The IMF:SM ratio increased from baseline through 24-months. Individuals with better muscle quality at baseline reported twice the decline in HRQoL from baseline to 6-months (mean difference [MD]= -0.12±0.03, p

Conclusion: Individuals with better baseline muscle quality may experience greater declines in HRQoL during cancer treatment. Declines in muscle quality are associated with greater pain interference and worse physical function at 24 months follow-up. Improving or preventing declines in muscle quality may help support HRQoL in patients treated for BC.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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