Physical activity, daily walking, and lower limb lymphedema associate with physical function among uterine cancer survivors

Purpose: We sought to quantify the proportion of uterine cancer survivors who self-report poor physical function. We then sought to quantify the association of poor physical function with physical activity (PA), walking, and lower limb lymphedema (LLL), among women with a history of uterine cancer.

Methods: Physical function was quantified using the Medical Outcomes Study 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) questionnaire. PA, walking, and LLL were measured using self-report questionnaire. PA was calculated using metabolic equivalent hours per week (MET-h week⁻¹), and walking was calculated using blocks per day (blocks day⁻¹). Logistic regression estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI).

Results: Among the 213 uterine cancer survivors in our survey (43 % response rate), 35 % self-reported poor physical function. Compared to participants who reported <3.0 MET-h week⁻¹ of PA, participants who reported ≥18.0 MET-h week⁻¹ of PA were less likely to have poor physical function (OR 0.03, 95 % CI 0.01–0.10; P_trend < 0.0001). Compared to participants who reported <4.0 blocks day⁻¹ of walking, participants who reported ≥12.0 blocks day⁻¹ of walking were less likely to have poor physical function (OR 0.07, 95 % CI 0.03–0.19; P_trend < 0.0001). Compared to participants who did not have LLL, participants with LLL were more likely to have poor physical function (OR 5.25, 95 % CI 2.41–11.41; P < 0.0001).

Conclusion: Higher levels of PA and walking associate with a lower likelihood of reporting poor physical function. The presence of LLL associates with a higher likelihood of reporting poor physical function. These findings are hypothesis-generating and should be evaluated in future prospective studies.