Musculoskeletal symptoms associated with aromatase inhibitors in the treatment of early breast cancer: A scoping review of risk factors and outcomes

PurposeAromatase inhibitor-associated musculoskeletal symptoms (AIMSS) are the most common adverse effects experienced by breast cancer patients. This scoping review aimed to systematically synthesize the predictors/risk factors and outcomes of AIMSS in patients with early-stage breast cancer.MethodsA systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL, and the China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI) from inception to December 2024 following the scoping review framework proposed by Arksey and O'Malley (2005).ResultsA total of 5,008 studies were identified, and 98 were included in this review. The risk factors for AIMSS included psychosocial and demographic factors (e.g., age, BMI, menstrual status, and anxiety), clinical factors (e.g., history of chemotherapy, preexisting pain, and musculoskeletal diseases) and gene polymorphisms (e.g., ESR1, OPG, RANKL, TCL1A, and CYP19A1). The outcomes of AIMSS encompassed physical, psychological, behavioral, and survival-related impacts.ConclusionThis scoping review synthesized the available evidence on predictors, risk factors, and outcomes of AIMSS, providing a foundation for developing risk prediction models and enhancing symptom management strategies.