Latent class symptom profiles of colorectal cancer survivors with cancer-related cognitive impairment

Purpose Colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors experience cancer-related cognitive impairment and co-occurring symptoms after cancer treatments. There has been little data to inform the risk factors of complex symptom phenotypes in CRC survivors. Objectives To determine if subgroups of CRC survivors after cancer treatments could be identified based on the cognitive impairment and common co-occurring symptoms (depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and pain); and to explore risk factors (sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, perceived stress, and social support) of these subgroups. Methods Latent class profile analysis (LCPA) was used to identify subgroups based on self-reported symptoms in 64 CRC survivors. Cognitive impairment was measured by assessing subjective cognitive function using the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measure. The Kruskal–Wallis test and regression analyses were performed. Results Three distinct latent classes were identified (Class 1: All Low ‘28.1%’; Class 2: High Psychological Symptoms (depression/anxiety) ‘25%’; Class 3: High Somatic Symptoms (fatigue, sleep disturbance, and pain) with High Cognitive Impairment’46.9%’). The pain was the most distinguishable symptom across the latent classes. The high symptom burden group was associated with less time since cancer diagnosis, higher perceived stress levels, and poor emotional social support. Conclusion Our study adds to the information on interindividual variability in symptom experience of CRC survivors with cognitive impairment. Findings suggest a need for increased attention to screening for co-occurring symptoms (e.g., high pain) and future interventions focused on stress management and social support.