EFFECT OF AROMATASE INHIBITORS ON EARLY STAGE BREAST CANCER AND FREQUENCY OF JOINT PAIN SYMPTOMS IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Objective: To find out the effect use of aromatase inhibitors on early stage breast cancer and the frequency of joint symptoms they developed. Methods : This was a cross-sectional study on postmenopausal breast cancer women, who were receiving the different therapy for cancer. A questionnaire was used, comprises of demographic information and questions related to drug history and joint pain symptoms, and assessing the presence of joint symptoms at initial stage of cancer. Results : Among 200 patients of this study, 93 (46.5%) reported having aromatase inhibitor-related joint pain and 89 (44.5%) with joint stiffness. Patients who received other medicines have less joint pain and stiffness (odds ratio [OR] _ 4.08, 95% CI, 1.20 to 10.43 and OR _ 4.46; 95% CI, 1.74 to 11.56, respectively). Conclusion : Present study concluded that symptoms produced by aromatase inhibitor are more frequent in the female patients of breast cancer. Keywords : Breast cancer, Aromatase inhibitor, Joint Symptoms, Postmenopausal women