Cognitive performance, emotional state and quality of life in colon cancer patients prior to chemotherapy treatment

Abstract

Objective: To describe the cognitive performance, quality of life, and emotional state of patients with colon cancer prior to chemotherapy treatment. Method: Before the first cycle of chemotherapy, thirty five patients of colon cancer were assessed on verbal memory (Word list Learning, and Text Memory), executive function (Stroop Test and Trail Making Test B) and psychomotor ability (Symbol-Digit Test and Trail Making Test A), quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30), anxiety and depression (HADS), fatigue (BIF) and physical and psychosocial problems. Results: Profile: male, older than 50 years, without psyconeuropathological family history, and low educational level. Cognitive performance presented deficit comparised with normative data in executive function in older than 65 years (release of interference, p = 0.00), and worse verbal memory in older than 70 (free recall, immediate and delayed, p< 0.05) and psychomotor ability (p = 0.011). The higher age and low educational level had lower functioning, without differences by gender. The fatigue positively correlated with Trail Making Test A (p< 0.05). There is not relationship between “cognitive function” measured by QLQ-C30 and neuropsychological performance. Some physical and psychosocial problems correlated significantly with some neuropsychological tests. Conclusions: Elderly patients have cognitive impairment after to start the chemotherapy. Age, low educational levels and physical and psychosocial problems are associated with a worse performance. Participants have good mood and quality of life. Light normal levels of anxiety improve performance. Fatigue is associated with lower psychomotor ability. Cognitive complaints are associated with more depression but not with worse cognitive performance in tests.