Prevalence and comorbidity of pain and fatigue in women with breast cancer

This study analyzed the prevalence and comorbidity of pain and fatigue in women with breast cancer. This is a cross-sectional study using a non-probabilistic sample of 182 women following outpatient treatment for breast cancer, who were interviewed from July 2006 to March 2007. Fatigue was assessed using the Piper Fatigue Scale, and divided into two categories (scores 0.1-4.9 and >= 5-10). Pain was assessed by the 0-10 scale, and categorized the same way as fatigue. Fatigue occurred in 94 women (51.6%), and was >= 5 in 44 (46.8%) of the women. Pain occurred in 86 women (47.2%), with scores >= 5 in 50 (58.1%). Fatigue and pain were correlated (r=0.38, p=0.003) and the comorbidity fatigue and pain was 38.3%. Intense pain increased fatigue (p=0.089) and intense fatigue increased pain (p=0.016). Both data are new in our area, and confirm the existence of a cluster of symptoms and the harms resulting from that comorbidity.