Trajectory of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Its Predictive Factors in Breast Cancer Patients: A Prospective Longitudinal Study.

Objective: To explore the trajectory patterns and influencing factors of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in breast cancer patients using latent class growth analysis (LCGA).

Methods: This study was conducted from September 2022 to September 2023 at a tertiary hospital in Tangshan, China. A total of 350 hospitalized breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were recruited. Data were collected through questionnaires, including general demographic information, disease-related characteristics, lifestyle factors, and psychological status. CIPN was assessed at 5 time points: baseline (T0) and the 21st day after the completion of the 1st (T1), 2nd (T2), 3rd (T3), and 4th (T4) chemotherapy cycles. Latent class growth models (LCGMs) were used to identify distinct trajectory patterns. Univariate analysis and multinomial logistic regression models were applied to examine the influencing factors.

Results: Three distinct CIPN trajectory groups were identified: the low-risk stable group (42.3%, n = 148), the moderate-risk progressive group (41.4%, n = 145), and the high-risk rapidly progressing group (16.3%, n = 57). Compared with the low-risk stable group, the predictive factors for the moderate-risk progressive group included body mass index (BMI), hypertension, and depression. For the high-risk rapidly progressing group, predictive factors included BMI, physical activity, social support, hypertension, vitamin D levels, nutritional status, and depression.

Conclusion: This study elucidates the heterogeneous trajectory patterns of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in breast cancer patients and identifies key influencing factors. Recognizing these characteristics in clinical practice may facilitate the early identification of high-risk patients and enable timely interventions to mitigate CIPN severity.