Questa pagina è stata tradotta automaticamente e l'accuratezza della traduzione non è garantita. Si prega di fare riferimento al Versione inglese per un testo di partenza.

Determining the Extent of the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause Burden in Breast Cancer Survivors (V-light cohort)

29 aprile 2026 aggiornato da: Jessa Hospital

Determining the Extent of the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause Burden in Breast Cancer Survivors: a Cohort Study

Breast cancer survivors (BCS) often face unique challenges during and after treatment, including the onset of menopause-related symptoms. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) is a common concern in BCS undergoing endocrine therapy (ET). It is a chronic condition caused by estrogen deficiency, leading to vaginal and urinary symptoms such as dryness, irritation, pain during intercourse, recurrent infections, and urinary urgency.

The prevalence of GSM in BCS varies widely depending on factors such as the type of ET, individual patient characteristics, and the duration of treatment. As such, the prevalence of GSM in BCS can range from 13% to 95.2%. A recent systematic review performed by part of the investigators of this study concludes that GSM is a significant problem for breast cancer patients. However, most studies lack a control group, limiting the results' validity. Therefore, this study aims to determine the extent of the GSM burden in BCS using a prospective, controlled cohort study. This study will compare breast cancer patients receiving endocrine therapy (ET) with those undergoing chemotherapy (CT), as CT may also induce GSM-like symptoms. In addition, a comparison will be made with healthy controls.

For this study, two groups of participants are included: women with breast cancer and a healthy control group without breast cancer. Within the breast cancer group, a distinction is made between women receiving chemotherapy only and women undergoing hormone therapy only. All participants complete questionnaires. The control group completes these questionnaires once, whereas women with breast cancer are asked to complete the same questionnaires at multiple time points during their treatment and follow-up. This longitudinal approach allows us to assess how potential symptoms evolve over the course of treatment. By comparing responses between both groups, a clearer understanding of which symptoms occur more frequently in women with breast cancer as a consequence of their treatment can be obtained.

Panoramica dello studio

Stato

Reclutamento

Condizioni

Intervento / Trattamento

Tipo di studio

Osservativo

Iscrizione (Stimato)

264

Contatti e Sedi

Questa sezione fornisce i recapiti di coloro che conducono lo studio e informazioni su dove viene condotto lo studio.

Contatto studio

Backup dei contatti dello studio

Luoghi di studio

Criteri di partecipazione

I ricercatori cercano persone che corrispondano a una certa descrizione, chiamata criteri di ammissibilità. Alcuni esempi di questi criteri sono le condizioni generali di salute di una persona o trattamenti precedenti.

Criteri di ammissibilità

Età idonea allo studio

  • Adulto
  • Adulto più anziano

Accetta volontari sani

Sì

Metodo di campionamento

Campione non probabilistico

Popolazione di studio

Breast cancer patients through the Oncology department of Jessa Hospital (Hasselt) Healthy control through the Gynecology department of Jessa Hospital (Hasselt) or flyers

Descrizione

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Women diagnosed with breast cancer stage 0, I, II, and III
  • Prior to CT/ET, receiving only one of both (no combination)
  • Age 18 years or above
  • Have no documented or observable psychiatric or neurological disorders that might interfere with study participation (e.g., dementia or psychosis)
  • Dutch-speaking (be able to understand the informed consent and study-related questionnaires)
  • Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Concomitant CT and ET treatment
  • Structural restorative therapies, such as photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) and fractional CO₂ laser treatment, are not permitted during the study period. During the study period, only symptomatic treatment of GSM (e.g., vaginal lubricants or moisturizers) will be allowed

Piano di studio

Questa sezione fornisce i dettagli del piano di studio, compreso il modo in cui lo studio è progettato e ciò che lo studio sta misurando.

Come è strutturato lo studio?

Dettagli di progettazione

Coorti e interventi

Gruppo / Coorte
Intervento / Trattamento
Breast cancer patients receiving endocrine therapy
Altro: Questionnaires (NRS, DASS-21, EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-BR42, FSFI, FSDS-R)

Primary objective: The study seeks primarily to provide a comprehensive overview of the burden of GSM in breast cancer patients receiving endocrine therapy (ET) or chemotherapy (CT) in comparison to a healthy control group.

Secondary objective: The secondary aim of this study is to evaluate the extent of GSM-related symptoms in breast cancer patients and compare CT and ET. Furthermore, this study aims to evaluate the effect of GSM on the QoL, sexual health, and mental well-being of breast cancer patients. This study also seeks to analyze correlations between the extent of GSM, treatment, and patient characteristics.
Breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy
Altro: Questionnaires (NRS, DASS-21, EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-BR42, FSFI, FSDS-R)

Primary objective: The study seeks primarily to provide a comprehensive overview of the burden of GSM in breast cancer patients receiving endocrine therapy (ET) or chemotherapy (CT) in comparison to a healthy control group.

Secondary objective: The secondary aim of this study is to evaluate the extent of GSM-related symptoms in breast cancer patients and compare CT and ET. Furthermore, this study aims to evaluate the effect of GSM on the QoL, sexual health, and mental well-being of breast cancer patients. This study also seeks to analyze correlations between the extent of GSM, treatment, and patient characteristics.
Healthy controls
The control group includes healthy biological women who are matched with the included breast cancer patients. Factors for matching include: Age; BMI; Menopausal status (for breast cancer patients: prior to treatment)
Altro: Questionnaires (NRS, DASS-21, EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-BR42, FSFI, FSDS-R)

Primary objective: The study seeks primarily to provide a comprehensive overview of the burden of GSM in breast cancer patients receiving endocrine therapy (ET) or chemotherapy (CT) in comparison to a healthy control group.

Secondary objective: The secondary aim of this study is to evaluate the extent of GSM-related symptoms in breast cancer patients and compare CT and ET. Furthermore, this study aims to evaluate the effect of GSM on the QoL, sexual health, and mental well-being of breast cancer patients. This study also seeks to analyze correlations between the extent of GSM, treatment, and patient characteristics.

Cosa sta misurando lo studio?

Misure di risultato primarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Vaginal dryness (NRS)
Lasso di tempo: From enrollment up till 12 months later.
The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) will be used to evaluate GSM-related vaginal dryness. The NRS is an 11-point scale ranging from 0 (none) to 10 (maximum severity).
From enrollment up till 12 months later.
Vaginal pruritus (NRS)
Lasso di tempo: From enrollment up till 12 months later.
Description: The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) will be used to evaluate GSM-related vaginal pruritus. The NRS is an 11-point scale ranging from 0 (none) to 10 (maximum severity).
From enrollment up till 12 months later.
Vaginal discharge (NRS)
Lasso di tempo: From enrollment up till 12 months later.
The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) will be used to evaluate GSM-related vaginal discharge. The NRS is an 11-point scale ranging from 0 (none) to 10 (maximum severity).
From enrollment up till 12 months later.
Vaginal hemorrhage (NRS)
Lasso di tempo: From enrollment up till 12 months later.
The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) will be used to evaluate GSM-related vaginal hemorrhage. The NRS is an 11-point scale ranging from 0 (none) to 10 (maximum severity).
From enrollment up till 12 months later.
Vaginal burning sensation (NRS)
Lasso di tempo: From enrollment up till 12 months later.
The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) will be used to evaluate GSM-related vaginal burning sensation. The NRS is an 11-point scale ranging from 0 (none) to 10 (maximum severity).
From enrollment up till 12 months later.

Misure di risultato secondarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Sexual Functioning Score
Lasso di tempo: From enrollment up till 12 months.
The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is a multidimensional, self-reported questionnaire that evaluates the patient's sexual functioning. The questionnaire consists of 19 questions, divided into six subscales (sexual desire, sexual arousal, lubrication, orgasms, sexual gratification and pain during intercourse). The total score ranges from 2 (severely compromised sexual functioning) to 36 (excellent sexual functioning).
From enrollment up till 12 months.
Sexual Distress Score
Lasso di tempo: From enrollment up till 12 months.
The multidimensional, self-reported Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised 2005 (FSDS-R) questionnaire will be used to evaluate the patient's sexual distress. This questionnaire consists of 13 items scored from 0 (never occurring) to 4 (always occurring). A score of 11 or more effectively discriminates between patients with female sexual distress and patients without distress.
From enrollment up till 12 months.
Quality of Life Score
Lasso di tempo: From enrollment up till 12 months later.
The European Organization for Research and Treatment for Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-C30) will be used to assess the patients' quality of life. The EORTC QLQ-C30 consists of 30 questions. These include five functional scales, three symptom scales, a global health status/quality of life (QoL) scale, and six single items. All of the scales and single-item measures range in score from 0 to 100. A high score for a functional scale represents a high/healthy level of functioning, a high score for the global health status/QoL represents a high QoL, but a high score for a symptom scale/item represents a high level of symptomatology/problems.
From enrollment up till 12 months later.
Quality of Life Score - Breast Cancer Specific
Lasso di tempo: From enrollment up till 12 months later.
The European Organization for Research and Treatment for Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-BR42) will be used to assess breast cancer-specific quality of life. The EORTC QLQ-BR42 consists of 42 questions. All of the scales and single item measures range in score from 0 to 100. A high score for the Body Image, Sexual Functioning and Breast Satisfaction scales and for the Future Perspective and Sexual Enjoyment single items represents a high level of functioning, whereas a high score for the Systemic ChemoTherapy Side Effects, Endocrine Symptoms, Arm Symptoms, Breast Symptoms, Hand/foot symptoms/neuropathy, Skeletal Scale and Vaginal Symptoms scales and for the Weight Gain single item represents a high level of symptomatology or problems.
From enrollment up till 12 months later.
Mental Health
Lasso di tempo: From enrollment up till 12 months later.
The mental health of the patients will be determined using the Depression Anxiety Stress-Scale (DASS-21). Three different scores will be calculated: depression (0-21), anxiety (0-21) and stress (0-18). A lower score indicates a normal mental health, while a higher score indicates extremely severe depression, anxiety and/or stress.
From enrollment up till 12 months later.

Altre misure di risultato

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Informazioni generali relative al paziente, alla malattia e al trattamento
Lasso di tempo: Linea di base
Le informazioni generali e mediche saranno raccolte attraverso un breve questionario per il paziente al fine di valutare i fattori di rischio intrinseci (ad es. età e storia di fumo). Le informazioni riguardanti i fattori di rischio correlati alla malattia e al trattamento saranno raccolte attraverso le cartelle cliniche (ad esempio, tipo e stadio del tumore).
Linea di base

Collaboratori e investigatori

Qui è dove troverai le persone e le organizzazioni coinvolte in questo studio.

Sponsor

Jessa Hospital

Studiare le date dei record

Queste date tengono traccia dell'avanzamento della registrazione dello studio e dell'invio dei risultati di sintesi a ClinicalTrials.gov. I record degli studi e i risultati riportati vengono esaminati dalla National Library of Medicine (NLM) per assicurarsi che soddisfino specifici standard di controllo della qualità prima di essere pubblicati sul sito Web pubblico.

Studia le date principali

Inizio studio (Effettivo)

5 marzo 2026

Completamento primario (Stimato)

6 marzo 2028

Completamento dello studio (Stimato)

31 agosto 2028

Date di iscrizione allo studio

Primo inviato

9 febbraio 2026

Primo inviato che soddisfa i criteri di controllo qualità

29 aprile 2026

Primo Inserito (Effettivo)

4 maggio 2026

Aggiornamenti dei record di studio

Ultimo aggiornamento pubblicato (Effettivo)

4 maggio 2026

Ultimo aggiornamento inviato che soddisfa i criteri QC

29 aprile 2026

Ultimo verificato

1 febbraio 2026

Maggiori informazioni

Termini relativi a questo studio

Termini MeSH pertinenti aggiuntivi

Altri numeri di identificazione dello studio

  • 2025/205
  • 1S95826N (Altro numero di sovvenzione/finanziamento: Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO))

Piano per i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)

Hai intenzione di condividere i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)?

INDECISO

Informazioni su farmaci e dispositivi, documenti di studio

Studia un prodotto farmaceutico regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti

No

Studia un dispositivo regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti

No

Queste informazioni sono state recuperate direttamente dal sito web clinicaltrials.gov senza alcuna modifica. In caso di richieste di modifica, rimozione o aggiornamento dei dettagli dello studio, contattare register@clinicaltrials.gov. Non appena verrà implementata una modifica su clinicaltrials.gov, questa verrà aggiornata automaticamente anche sul nostro sito web .

Sottoscrivi