Cognitive Function in Adults With Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treated With Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review

Overview

Journal Cancer Nurs

Specialties Nursing
Oncology

Date 2022 Sep 6

PMID 36066343

Authors

Ya-Ning Chan

Stephanie Betancur

Jamie L Conklin

Rachel Hirschey

Aaron Piepmeier

Matthew Foster

Ruth A Anderson

Catherine M Bender

Ashley Leak Bryant

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Chemotherapy is essential for treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Previous studies concluded that survivors of cancer who were treated with chemotherapy experience cognitive impairment. Therefore, it is important to understand cognitive function in survivors of AML.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore distributions and correlates of cognitive function, and prediction of cognitive function on other outcomes in adults with AML who were treated with chemotherapy.

Methods: A health science librarian systematically searched PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and EMBASE databases. Two reviewers independently conducted the title, abstract, and full-text screening. Data were extracted and synthesized based on the aims of the review.

Results: A total of 10 articles were included. Findings indicate that up to 62.2% of adults with AML experienced impaired cognitive function after starting chemotherapy. Three studies found cognitive function remained stable over time. Education and cytokines were potential correlates of cognitive function. Worse cognitive function may predict lower physical performance and higher mortality, although the results were inconsistent across studies.

Conclusion: Impaired cognitive function was observed in adults with AML who were treated with chemotherapy. However, no study used a validated subjective cognitive-function-specific patient-reported questionnaire, and previous studies focusing on cognitive function included relatively young samples. Hence, further research on cognitive function in older adults with AML is needed.

Implications For Practice: Because of the high prevalence of cognitive impairment identified, it is important to screen cognitive function in adults with AML who are planning to receive chemotherapy to intervene and provide support earlier.

Citing Articles

Chan Y, Cho Y, Hirschey R, Piepmeier A, Bender C, Anderson R Support Care Cancer. 2024; 32(7):485.

PMID: 38960966 PMC: 11311204. DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08673-2.

References

Meyers C, Albitar M, Estey E . Cognitive impairment, fatigue, and cytokine levels in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome. Cancer. 2005; 104(4):788-93. DOI: 10.1002/cncr.21234. View

Klepin H, Geiger A, Tooze J, Kritchevsky S, Williamson J, Ellis L . The feasibility of inpatient geriatric assessment for older adults receiving induction chemotherapy for acute myelogenous leukemia. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2011; 59(10):1837-46. PMC: 3782375. DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03614.x. View

Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman D . Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. Ann Intern Med. 2009; 151(4):264-9, W64. DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-151-4-200908180-00135. View

Cunningham R . Anemia in the oncology patient: cognitive function and cancer. Cancer Nurs. 2004; 26(6 Suppl):38S-42S. DOI: 10.1097/00002820-200312001-00009. View

Selamat M, Loh S, Mackenzie L, Vardy J . Chemobrain experienced by breast cancer survivors: a meta-ethnography study investigating research and care implications. PLoS One. 2014; 9(9):e108002. PMC: 4178068. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108002. View

Lycke M, Lefebvre T, Pottel L, Pottel H, Ketelaars L, Stellamans K . Subjective, but not objective, cognitive complaints impact long-term quality of life in cancer patients. J Psychosoc Oncol. 2019; 37(4):427-440. DOI: 10.1080/07347332.2018.1504154. View

Williams A, Zent C, Janelsins M . What is known and unknown about chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment in patients with haematological malignancies and areas of needed research. Br J Haematol. 2016; 174(6):835-46. PMC: 5626568. DOI: 10.1111/bjh.14211. View

Savard J, Ganz P . Subjective or Objective Measures of Cognitive Functioning-What's More Important?. JAMA Oncol. 2016; 2(10):1263-1264. DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2016.2047. View

Oliva E, Nobile F, Alimena G, Ronco F, Specchia G, Impera S . Quality of life in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia: patients may be more accurate than physicians. Haematologica. 2011; 96(5):696-702. PMC: 3084916. DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2010.036715. View

10.

Isenberg-Grzeda E, Huband H, Lam H . A review of cognitive screening tools in cancer. Curr Opin Support Palliat Care. 2016; 11(1):24-31. DOI: 10.1097/SPC.0000000000000257. View

11.

Robb C, Boulware D, Overcash J, Extermann M . Patterns of care and survival in cancer patients with cognitive impairment. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2009; 74(3):218-24. DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2009.07.002. View

12.

Lange M, Joly F, Vardy J, Ahles T, Dubois M, Tron L . Cancer-related cognitive impairment: an update on state of the art, detection, and management strategies in cancer survivors. Ann Oncol. 2019; 30(12):1925-1940. PMC: 8109411. DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdz410. View

13.

Bewersdorf J, Carraway H, Prebet T . Emerging treatment options for patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome. Ther Adv Hematol. 2020; 11:2040620720955006. PMC: 7675905. DOI: 10.1177/2040620720955006. View

14.

Wouters H, Baars J, Schagen S . Neurocognitive function of lymphoma patients after treatment with chemotherapy. Acta Oncol. 2016; 55(9-10):1121-1125. DOI: 10.1080/0284186X.2016.1189092. View

15.

Jouzier C, Hamel J, Dumas P, Delaunay J, Bonmati C, Guieze R . Conventional chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia in older adults: Impact on nutritional, cognitive, and functional status. Eur J Haematol. 2021; 106(6):859-867. DOI: 10.1111/ejh.13624. View

16.

Lindner O, Phillips B, McCabe M, Mayes A, Wearden A, Varese F . A meta-analysis of cognitive impairment following adult cancer chemotherapy. Neuropsychology. 2014; 28(5):726-40. PMC: 4143183. DOI: 10.1037/neu0000064. View

17.

Siegel R, Miller K, Fuchs H, Jemal A . Cancer statistics, 2022. CA Cancer J Clin. 2022; 72(1):7-33. DOI: 10.3322/caac.21708. View

18.

Stouten-Kemperman M, de Ruiter M, Caan M, Boogerd W, Kerst M, Reneman L . Lower cognitive performance and white matter changes in testicular cancer survivors 10 years after chemotherapy. Hum Brain Mapp. 2015; 36(11):4638-47. PMC: 6869574. DOI: 10.1002/hbm.22942. View

19.

Deprez S, Kesler S, Saykin A, Silverman D, de Ruiter M, McDonald B . International Cognition and Cancer Task Force Recommendations for Neuroimaging Methods in the Study of Cognitive Impairment in Non-CNS Cancer Patients. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2018; 110(3):223-231. PMC: 6658857. DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djx285. View

20.

Boykoff N, Moieni M, Subramanian S . Confronting chemobrain: an in-depth look at survivors' reports of impact on work, social networks, and health care response. J Cancer Surviv. 2009; 3(4):223-32. PMC: 2775113. DOI: 10.1007/s11764-009-0098-x. View