Associations Between Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Distress in Patients Assigned to Adjuvant Irradiation for Non-Metastatic Breast Cancer

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Many patients assigned to adjuvant radiotherapy for non-metastatic breast cancer already received taxane-based chemotherapy, which can cause peripheral neuropathy (PNP). This study investigated potential associations between moderate-to-severe or mild PNP and distress. <b>Methods:</b> Ninety-eight breast cancer patients who received taxane-based chemotherapy and completed the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer were included in this retrospective study. The severity of PNP plus 17 factors were evaluated for associations with distress. <b>Results:</b> Mean distress scores (higher scores representing higher levels of distress) were 6.17 (SD ± 2.41) in patients with moderate-to-severe PNP, 4.21 (SD ± 2.54) in patients with mild PNP and 4.04 (SD ± 2.24) in patients without PNP. On univariable analyses, higher distress scores were significantly associated with moderate-to-severe PNP (vs. mild or no PNP, <i>p</i> < 0.001), Karnofsky performance score ≤ 80 (<i>p</i> = 0.001), history of autoimmune disease (<i>p</i> = 0.035), and hypertension (<i>p</i> = 0.002). Trends were found for age ≥65 years (<i>p</i> = 0.056), type of chemotherapy (<i>p</i> = 0.078), and beta-blocker medication (<i>p</i> = 0.072). On multivariable analysis, moderate-to-severe PNP (<i>p</i> = 0.036), Karnofsky performance score ≤ 80 (<i>p</i> = 0.013), and hypertension (<i>p</i> = 0.045) were significant. <b>Conclusions</b>: Since moderate-to-severe chemotherapy-induced PNP was associated with a significantly higher level of distress when compared to mild or nor PNP, these patients should be offered early psychological support and personalized monitoring.