High body mass index and young age are not associated with post-mastectomy pain syndrome in breast cancer survivors: A case-control study

authors:

avatar Roghayeh Shahbazi 1 , avatar Mohammad Esmaeil Akbari 2 , avatar Morteza Hashemian 3 , avatar Mehrnaz Abbasi 1 , avatar Saba Jalali 1 , avatar Reza Homayounfar 4 , avatar Sayed Hossein Davoodi 5 , *

National Institute and Faculty of Nutrition and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Cancer Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Dept. of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Bahonar Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Dept. of Biochemistry, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
Dept. of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetic, National Institute and Faculty of Nutrition and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
International Journal of Cancer Management: Vol.8, issue 1; e80578
published online: February 28, 2015
article type: Research Article
received: September 10, 2014
accepted: December 24, 2014

how to cite: Shahbazi R, Akbari M E, Hashemian M, Abbasi M, Jalali S , et al. High body mass index and young age are not associated with post-mastectomy pain syndrome in breast cancer survivors: A case-control study. Int J Cancer Manag. 2015;8(1):e80578. 

Abstract

Background: Surgery is usually the first treatment for breast cancer which is followed by some complications such as chronic pain. Post mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) is a common complication among breast cancer survivors and is considered as a chronic neuropathic pain in the side of surgery which persists more than three months. The exact mechanisms and related risk factors of the chronic pain after breast surgery are unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of body mass index (BMI) and age with PMPS.
Methods: In this case-control study, a total of 122 women were assessed; of these, 61 women were diagnosed with PMPS and selected as cases and 61 pain-free patients were selected as controls. The demographic and clinical characteristics of participants were collected through questionnaires and medical record of patients. Logistic regression model was used to determine the association of BMI and age with PMPS, adjusted for demographic and clinical characteristics.
Results: No significant differences were found in means of weight (68.02±8.80 vs. 68.67±11.82, p=0.726), BMI (26.38±3.28 vs. 27.10±6.03, p=0.410), and age (46.34±11.67 vs. 48.54±12.57, p=0.319) between those with PMPS and those not reporting PMPS. A non-significant slight increase in odds ratio of PMPS was observed in obese category compared to normal weight category [OR=1.152 (95% CI 0.405-3.275), p=0.908], but after adjusting the confounding factors, the risk of pain development was attenuated in obese subjects [OR=0.748 (95% CI 0.228-2.459), p=0.633]. Also, nonsignificant decrease in odds ratios of PMPS was found in 20-39 y, 40-49 y, and 50-59 y ages categories compared to oldest age category [adjusted OR= 0.781 (95% CI 0.213-2.866), p=0.576; adjusted OR=0.485 (95% CI 0.152- 1.554), p=0.183; adjusted OR=0.735 (95% CI 0.206-2.627), p=0.628; respectively].
Conclusion: In contrast with some observational studies, present study showed that high BMI and younger age might not be associated with increased risk of PMPS development. Further research is necessary to determine the main risk factors and directionality and causal mechanisms for associations of these risk factors with chronic pain after mastectomy.

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