Abstract 6305: Evaluating clinical and sociodemographic risk for symptom-related functional interference in the primary brain tumor population
Authors: McIver Bennett Ann , Davis Tara S. , Reinhart Kimberly , Vera Elizabeth , Choi Anna , Kunst Tricia , Johnson Morgan , Grajkowska Ewa , Miller Hope , Armstrong Terri S. , Wright Michelle L. 
Published: March 2024

Purpose: Primary brain tumors have a high propensity for causing physical and activity-related disabilities due to the location within the brain and use of targeted treatments resulting in significant symptom burden. In other cancers, physical function impacts mood, quality of life, and even mortality. This exploratory study aims to identify factors associated with activity-related functional interference in a cross-sectional cohort of 584 primary brain tumor patients enrolled in a natural history study (NCT03251989, PI: T.S. Armstrong).

Methods: Sociodemographic (age, race, ethnicity, income, education, employment, body mass index [BMI]) and disease-related clinical data were collected at study entry. Activity-related interference (work, walking, and general activity) and health status were reported via the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Brain Tumor. Activity-related interference means ≥ 2 were categorized as moderate/severe. Logistic regression assessed univariate associations with moderate/severe interference, with sig. &lt;0.05.

Results: This sample had a median age of 49 years (range 18-85), and was mostly male (57%), with a high-grade tumor (grade 3/4) (74%), glioblastoma (39%), on active treatment (21%) and prior tumor recurrence (49%). Risk factors for moderate/severe activity-related interference included: ≥ 2 surgeries (OR = 1.55, 95% CI [1.11, 2.18], P = 0.011), ≥ 2 radiation treatments (OR = 2.87, 95% CI [1.59, 5.17], P &lt; 0.001), currently on active treatment (OR = 1.47, 95% CI [0.97, 2.22], P = 0.066), disease progression (OR = 1.87, 95% CI [1.24, 2.84], P = 0.003), prior recurrence (OR = 1.57, 95% CI [1.13, 2.19], P = 0.007), and poor KPS (OR = 3.61, 95% CI [2.55, 5.12], P &lt; 0.001), but not tumor grade (OR = 1.05, 95% CI [0.72, 1.54], P = 0.790). Sociodemographic risk factors for moderate/severe activity-related interference included: less than a high school education (OR = 2.03, 95% CI [1.18, 3.51], P = 0.011), on disability (OR = 3.20, 95% CI [1.79, 5.71], P &lt; 0.001), or unemployed (OR = 3.81, 95% CI [2.34, 6.19], P &lt;

0.001), an annual income less than $49,999 (OR = 2.62, 95% CI [1.28, 5.35], P = 0.008), or childhood in a rural area (OR = 1.87, 95% CI [1.24, 2.84], P = 0.003), but not BMI, smoking status, or past physical activity in the 10 years prior to report.

Conclusion: As expected, activity-related interference is associated with disease and treatment associated clinical characteristics, with significant risk derived from sociodemographic factors such as education, childhood environment, employment, and household income. Future studies should further explore these associations longitudinally to identify individuals at the highest risk of activity-related interference due to their brain tumor as well as interventions designed for those who may be socioeconomically disadvantaged.

Citation Format: Bennett Ann McIver, Tara S. Davis, Kimberly Reinhart, Elizabeth Vera, Anna Choi, Tricia Kunst, Morgan Johnson, Ewa Grajkowska, Hope Miller, Terri S. Armstrong, Michelle L. Wright. Evaluating clinical and sociodemographic risk for symptom-related functional interference in the primary brain tumor population [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 6305.