Variables associated with cognitive impairment in patients with colon cancer

Abstract

Objective: Identify predictors of lower cognitive performance in colon cancer patients treated with surgery before undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: In a sample of 89 colon cancer patients, we evaluated the relation between their cognitive performance in three cognitive domains (executive function, verbal memory and psychomotor skill) and the following variables: Age, sex, years of study, stage, medical prognosis, comorbidity, haemoglobin, anxiety, depression, fatigue, quality of life, physical and psychosocial problems. Results: They are a predominantly male sample (61.8%), over 65 years (mean 66.9) without neuropsychological illness history (89.9%). But, data show correlational relationships between some cognitive performance test and certain variables assessed. There are remarkable negative correlations with age, respiratory problems and social perception of the quality of life, with lower cognitive performance on tests of verbal memory, executive function and psychomotor ability (p <0.05). Also, patients with stage III colon cancer performed worse than those with stage II disease and those with less than five years of study differ from most studies in the three cognitive domains (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The profile of patients with colon cancer at high risk of cognitive deficit is: Old age, with stage III disease, little formal education, breathing problems and a good perception of their quality of social life.