What type of study is this?

This is a Prospective cohort study.

September 10, 2025

Prevalence and Predictors of Chemotherpay-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Among Women With Primary Breast Cancer

Key Points

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy was found in 77.2% of participants, affecting their quality of life significantly.
Multivariate analysis identified paclitaxel as a significant risk factor with odds ratio of 2.597, showing higher risk than docetaxel.
Predictors included being widowed/separated/divorced/single, an increase in chemotherapy cycles, and lymph node metastasis.
The study emphasizes the importance of early identification and strategic planning to enhance patient quality of life.

Abstract

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is the most troublesome adverse effect of certain chemotherapeutic drugs used to treat breast cancer. Objectives: The objective of the study was to explore the prevalence and predictors of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in women with breast cancer who received chemotherapy. Materials And Methods: This hospital-based prospective cohort study was conducted among 307 women aged 30-70 years with histopathologically confirmed breast cancer stage I–III who received chemotherapy from a Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Kerala, India. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were examined to explore predictive factors. Findings: The mean age of the participants was 51.57±10.12 years. Invasive ductal carcinoma was predominant (96.1%) with a majority (55.4%) in breast cancer stage II. The prevalence of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy was 77.2% (n = 237). In the univariate analysis, being widowed/divorced/separated/single, advanced anatomical stage, ER receptor status, metastasis in the ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes, sentinel lymph node biopsy, sentinel lymph node scintigraphy, adjuvant chemotherapy, number of chemotherapy cycles, paclitaxel, docetaxel, cumulative doses of paclitaxel and docetaxel, and dose reduction were significantly associated with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (p<0.05). In the multivariate analysis, paclitaxel (OR = 2.597, 95% CI = 1.402-4.811, p=0.002) had higher Odds for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy than docetaxel. Being widowed/separated/divorced/single (OR = 9.271, 95% CI = 1.187-72.421, p=0.034), chemotherapy cycles (OR = 70.544, 95% CI = 3.277–1518.693, p=0.007), and metastasis to the ipsilateral lymph nodes (OR = 2.087, 95% CI = 1.056-4.111, p=0.034) were the predictors of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Conclusion: The study findings indicate that paclitaxel and number of chemotherapy cycles are major risk factors for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. CIPN has a profound effect on patients' QOL. Early identification of risk factors and implementation of early strategic plans are essential to improve QOL.

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