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

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. 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). 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 a parts per thousand yen18.0 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 a parts per thousand yen12.0 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). 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.