Upper limb disabilities and associated factors among breast cancer survivors: A quantitative cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Complications following breast cancer treatment result in chronic upper limb disabilities. To plan an informed and effective rehabilitation for timely intervention to prevent, mitigate, or manage the functional impairments for breast cancer survivors, especially in settings with limited resources, the burden of upper limb disabilities needs to be ascertained. This study examined upper limb disabilities and associated factors among breast cancer survivors.

Methods: This cross-sectional quantitative study recruited 60 breast cancer survivors using purposive sampling method. Text messages and face-to-face interactions were used to inform participants about the study. Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire was used to ascertain the upper limb disabilities. To determine lymphedema, tape measurements of upper limb circumference were translated into a limb volume with the geometric formula for a truncated cone. Visual analogue scale, hand dynamometer, and goniometer were used to measure pain, grip strength, and shoulder range of movement, respectively. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data. Linear regression was used to determine the correlation between upper limb disabilities and selected variable. Alpha level was set at p < 0.05.

Result: The prevalence of upper limb disabilities was 73%. Pain, lymphedema, shoulder range of movement, and grip strength showed strong correlation with upper limb disabilities. Pain and lymphedema increased by around 0.095 and 0.061 units, respectively, for every unit increase in disability. Conversely, there was a decrease of 1.394, 0.770, 0.285, and 0.045 in shoulder flexion, shoulder abduction, grip strength, and body mass index, respectively, for every unit increase in disability.

Conclusion: Upper limb disabilities had high prevalence and significantly correlated with every variable that was examined. The high prevalence of upper limb disabilities and their interaction with related variables calls to action for routine screening and prompt intervention to identify, prevent, or manage upper limb functional impairments in breast cancer survivors.