Factors associated with cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
BackgroundCancer-related fatigue (CRF) remains one of the most common and persistent complications among breast cancer survivors, profoundly impairing their psychosocial well-being. Although various predictors have been proposed, existing evidence yields inconsistent findings. This study aimed to systematically synthesize multidimensional factors associated with CRF in this population, providing an evidence-based framework for identifying the individuals and tailoring early interventions.MethodsA systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases for studies investigating factors associated with fatigue in breast cancer patients, The search covered the period from database inception to May 3, 2026. Two researchers independently performed study screening, quality assessment, and data extraction, and statistical analyses were performed using Stata 19.0.Results16 studies involving a total of 11,984 patients were included. Some potentially relevant factors were identified: pain (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.29–2.45), dyspnea (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.10–3.66), anxiety (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.12–1.86), depression (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.49–2.60), sleep disturbances (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.05–3.87) and BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.05–1.75).ConclusionThe patients with cancer- related fatigue in breast cancer, pain, dyspnea, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.05–3.87) and BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 may be associated with fatigue and should be considered as potential related factors.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD420261432176.
Related
- Post‐Infectious Fatigue and Depression Following Dengue: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Associated Factors
- Effects of exercise interventions on cancer-related fatigue and quality of life in patients with metastatic breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Associated factors for in-hospital mortality in patients with fulminant myocarditis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Prevalence and associated factors of poor sleep quality, restless legs syndrome, insomnia, and sleep apnea in hemodialysis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Occurrence Proportion and Associated Factors of Respiratory Failure During Hospitalization in Chinese Patients With AECOPD: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
BibTeX
@article{ba2026factors,
title = {{Factors associated with cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis}},
author = {Bairu Ba and Xiaofeng Wang and Hong Ye and Tengyue Zhang and Jing Hu and Wenlong Zhang and Jing Xuan},
journal = {Frontiers in Oncology},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.3389/fonc.2026.1944824},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2026.1944824},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Factors associated with cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
AU - Bairu Ba
AU - Xiaofeng Wang
AU - Hong Ye
AU - Tengyue Zhang
AU - Jing Hu
AU - Wenlong Zhang
AU - Jing Xuan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/05
JO - Frontiers in Oncology
DO - 10.3389/fonc.2026.1944824
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2026.1944824
AB - BackgroundCancer-related fatigue (CRF) remains one of the most common and persistent complications among breast cancer survivors, profoundly impairing their psychosocial well-being. Although various predictors have been proposed, existing evidence yields inconsistent findings. This study aimed to systematically synthesize multidimensional factors associated with CRF in this population, providing an evidence-based framework for identifying the individuals and tailoring early interventions.MethodsA systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases for studies investigating factors associated with fatigue in breast cancer patients, The search covered the period from database inception to May 3, 2026. Two researchers independently performed study screening, quality assessment, and data extraction, and statistical analyses were performed using Stata 19.0.Results16 studies involving a total of 11,984 patients were included. Some potentially relevant factors were identified: pain (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.29–2.45), dyspnea (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.10–3.66), anxiety (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.12–1.86), depression (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.49–2.60), sleep disturbances (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.05–3.87) and BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.05–1.75).ConclusionThe patients with cancer- related fatigue in breast cancer, pain, dyspnea, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.05–3.87) and BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 may be associated with fatigue and should be considered as potential related factors.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD420261432176.
SN - 2234-943X
ER -