Adriana Cristina Nicolussi

Avaliação da qualidade de vida de pacientes com câncer submetidos à quimioterapia

Estudo descritivo e transversal, desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar a Qualidade de Vida (QV) de pacientes com câncer, submetidos a quimioterapia. Para a coleta de dados, utilizou-se o instrumento European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer - Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (EORTC QLQ-C30). A amostra constitui-se de 30 pacientes que assinaram o consentimento informado. Os dados foram analisados pelo software SPSS. O QLQ-C30 mostrou que a pontuacao media das funcoes fisica, cognitiva e social, e desempenho de papel, variou de 71,26 a 75,12, demonstrando um nivel satisfatorio. Na funcao emocional, a media foi baixa, de 55,46. Nas escalas de sintomas, houve o predominio da insonia com uma media de 34,44, seguida de dor (23,33) e fadiga (22,31). A QV foi satisfatoria em todos os dominios, exceto a funcao emocional, que foi baixa, demonstrando que os efeitos colaterais da quimioterapia influenciam negativamente a QV dos pacientes.

Qualidade de vida de pacientes com câncer de mama em terapia adjuvante

This study aimed to assess the Quality of Life (QoL) and to identify the domains affected in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant therapy and to correlate them with sociodemographic, clinical and therapeutic characteristics. This is a cross-sectional study with 35 patients, developed from August, 2007, to December, 2008. The Quality of Life Core-30-Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) instrument was used. The general Quality of Life was considered less than satisfactory. The most affected domains were: emotional function, insomnia, pain and fatigue. In the correlations, the patients above 60 years presented worse scores on emotional function, the patients submitted to the surgery related more constipation, patients receiving radiotherapy presented worse scores on general QoL and the ones that had more than six cycles of chemotherapy presented the emotional function affected and dyspnea. The conclusion is that the adjuvant treatments had affected in some way the patients, causing a deficit in the emotional function and other related symptoms, and impaired their QoL.O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a Qualidade de Vida (QV), identificar os dominios afetados em pacientes com câncer de mama em terapia adjuvante e correlaciona-los com caracteristicas socio-demograficas, clinicas e terapeuticas. Estudo transversal, realizado com 35 pacientes entre agosto de 2007 e dezembro de 2008. Utilizou-se o instrumento Quality of Life Core-30-Questionnaire (QLQ-C30). A Qualidade de Vida geral foi considerada pouco satisfatoria. Os dominios afetados foram: funcao emocional, insonia, dor e fadiga. Nas correlacoes, as pacientes acima de 60 anos apresentaram pior escore na funcao emocional, as submetidas a cirurgia referiram mais constipacao, as que realizavam radioterapia obtiveram pior escore para QV geral e as que estavam em quimioterapia ha mais de seis ciclos apresentaram a funcao emocional afetada e dispneia. Concluiu-se que os tratamentos adjuvantes afetaram de algum modo as pacientes, causando deficit na funcao emocional e relataram mais sintomas, prejudicando assim sua QV.

Symptoms of depression in patients with cancer of the head and neck undergoing radiotherapy treatment: a prospective study.

This study aimed to investigate the frequency of symptoms of depression in patients with cancer of the head and neck undergoing radiotherapy treatment, in the initial, middle and final stages of the treatment. This is a prospective exploratory quantitative study of 41 patients with head and neck cancer, undergoing radiotherapy treatment in the Oncology Outpatient Clinic of the Beneficência Portuguese Hospital of Ribeirão Preto. Data were collected through the Beck Depression Inventory instrument, and analyzed quantitatively by means of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Symptoms of dysphoria were found to increase throughout the treatment, as well as the number of patients with depression. The results show the importance for the healthcare professionals to detect the prevalence and the levels of the symptoms of depression, since these symptoms tend to increase and may lead to consequences such as a lack of adherence to treatment and a decrease in the quality of life of these patients.This study aimed to investigate the frequency of symptoms of depression in patients with cancer of the head and neck undergoing radiotherapy treatment, in the initial, middle and final stages of the treatment. This is a prospective exploratory quantitative study of 41 patients with head and neck cancer, undergoing radiotherapy treatment in the Oncology Outpatient Clinic of the Beneficencia Portuguese Hospital of Ribeirao Preto. Data were collected through the Beck Depression Inventory instrument, and analyzed quantitatively by means of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Symptoms of dysphoria were found to increase throughout the treatment, as well as the number of patients with depression. The results show the importance for the healthcare professionals to detect the prevalence and the levels of the symptoms of depression, since these symptoms tend to increase and may lead to consequences such as a lack of adherence to treatment and a decrease in the quality of life of these patients.

Qualidade de vida de pacientes com câncer colorretal em terapia adjuvante

RESUMO RESUMEN Quality of life of patients with colorectal cancer who were receiving complementary therapy* 156 Acta Paul Enferm 2009;22(2):155-61. 157 Acta Paul Enferm 2009;22(2):155-61. 158 Acta Paul Enferm 2009;22(2):155-61. 159 Acta Paul Enferm 2009;22(2):155-61. 160 Acta Paul Enferm 2009;22(2):155-61. 161 Acta Paul Enferm 2009;22(2):155-61.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate quality of life and the main demographic, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics of patients with colorectal cancer. In addition, the objective of the study was to examine the relationship between those characteristics and quality of life. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a specialized oncology center in Ribeirao Preto. The sample consisted of 22 patients with colorectal cancer who were receiving complementary therapy. Data were collected from July 2006 through September 2007. The quality of life Core-30 Questionnaire was used to measure quality of life. RESULTS: Patients had a satisfactory quality of life score (mean = 79.13). The most affected domains were emotional functioning, pain, insomnia, and fatigue. Women had worse scores on emotional and cognitive functioning, pain, insomnia, fatigue, constipation, and loss of appetite. Patients who were receiving radiotherapy had a worse pain score. Patients who had no symptoms during chemotherapy had higher scores on quality of life. CONCLUSION: The quality of life scores in this sample of patients was satisfactory. Lower quality of life scores were observed among women, and patients who were receiving radiotherapy and/or had side effects of chemotherapy.

Qualidade de vida em idosos que sofreram quedas: revisão integrativa da literatura

An Integrative Literature Review was conducted in order to evaluate the scientific knowledge produced regarding quality of life of the elderly who have suffered falls. Published articles between 1999 and 2009 were selected from the LILACS, CINAHL and MEDLINE databases, and the following search words in Portuguese, English and Spanish were used: quality of life, the elderly and accidents involving falls. Nine articles met the inclusion criteria. It was revealed that falls are frequent among the elderly, and especially the elderly with more intrinsic risk factors and who have suffered falls are those who are more afraid and more prone to fall again. They also reported physical, mental and emotional impairments, body pains and environmental problems. It was revealed that programs to prevent falling can improve the quality of life of the elderly over time. It was clear that there are knowledge gaps, especially a low level of national scientific output, especially by nurses and the predominance of descriptive studies, with low levels of data. We suggest that health professionals conduct research into interventions to prevent falls that can be used in clinical practice in improving the quality of life of the elderly.

The outcomes of visualization and acupuncture on the quality of life of adult cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Background: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to treat cancer patients has increased around the world, and its benefits have been described. These therapies represent an important theme in oncology and have been used in parallel with conventional therapies. Objective: This study aimed to assess the outcomes of using relaxation with visualization and acupuncture on the quality of life of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment and to compare these outcomes with patients who did not choose to receive the intervention. Methods: Participants chose to be in either the intervention group (IG) or control group (CG). They completed the Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 at the start and end of chemotherapy. The IG was chosen by 38 patients with different types of cancer who completed weekly relaxation with visualization and acupuncture sessions, whereas the CG was composed of 37 patients who did not receive the intervention. Results: Statistically significant results evidenced an increase in global health and emotional and social functions and a decrease in fatigue and loss of appetite for the IG, and an increase in global health for the CG (P ≤.05). A highly significant difference was found when comparing the post-chemotherapy scores of the Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 in the global health domain between the CG and the IG (P ≤.001), indicating positive outcomes of the CAM intervention. Conclusion: Adults with cancer are able to choose between involvement or not with this kind of CAM intervention. Global health could be improved by participating in this type of intervention. Implications for Practice: Choosing whether to be involved may be assisted by knowing the positive outcomes for some patients.

Quality of life evaluation in cancer patients to submitted to chemotherapy

Estudo descritivo e transversal, desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar a Qualidade de Vida (QV) de pacientes com câncer, submetidos a quimioterapia. Para a coleta de dados, utilizou-se o instrumento European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer - Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (EORTC QLQ-C30). A amostra constitui-se de 30 pacientes que assinaram o consentimento informado. Os dados foram analisados pelo software SPSS. O QLQ-C30 mostrou que a pontuacao media das funcoes fisica, cognitiva e social, e desempenho de papel, variou de 71,26 a 75,12, demonstrando um nivel satisfatorio. Na funcao emocional, a media foi baixa, de 55,46. Nas escalas de sintomas, houve o predominio da insonia com uma media de 34,44, seguida de dor (23,33) e fadiga (22,31). A QV foi satisfatoria em todos os dominios, exceto a funcao emocional, que foi baixa, demonstrando que os efeitos colaterais da quimioterapia influenciam negativamente a QV dos pacientes.

Fatores que influenciam a qualidade de vida de pacientes com câncer de cólon e reto

Objective: To conduct an integrative literature review and evaluate the evidence regarding quality of life of patients with colon and rectal cancer. Methods: A literature search was conducted between 1997 and 2007 using the LILACS, CINAHL and MEDLINE databases. Results: The diagnosis and treatment of cancer affect several domains of quality of life of the sample of patients. A number of factors, such as, engaging in exercise, increased physical conditioning, good nutrition, and psychosocial support led to better quality of life. Conclusions: There was a lack of national publications, few publications by registered nurses, the predominance of descriptive studies, and weak level of evidence. We recommend that registered nurses conduct experimental studies to evaluate the effect of psychosocial interventions and physical activity programs in improving the quality of life of patients with cancer.Objective: To conduct an integrative literature review and evaluate the evidence regarding quality of life of patients with colon and rectal cancer. Methods: A literature search was conducted between 1997 and 2007 using the LILACS, CINAHL and MEDLINE databases. Results: The diagnosis and treatment of cancer affect several domains of quality of life of the sample of patients. A number of factors, such as, engaging in exercise, increased physical conditioning, good nutrition, and psychosocial support led to better quality of life. Conclusions: There was a lack of national publications, few publications by registered nurses, the predominance of descriptive studies, and weak level of evidence. We recommend that registered nurses conduct experimental studies to evaluate the effect of psychosocial interventions and physical activity programs in improving the quality of life of patients with cancer.

Quality of life of patients with colorectal cancer who were receiving complementary therapy

RESUMO RESUMEN Quality of life of patients with colorectal cancer who were receiving complementary therapy* 156 Acta Paul Enferm 2009;22(2):155-61. 157 Acta Paul Enferm 2009;22(2):155-61. 158 Acta Paul Enferm 2009;22(2):155-61. 159 Acta Paul Enferm 2009;22(2):155-61. 160 Acta Paul Enferm 2009;22(2):155-61. 161 Acta Paul Enferm 2009;22(2):155-61.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate quality of life and the main demographic, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics of patients with colorectal cancer. In addition, the objective of the study was to examine the relationship between those characteristics and quality of life. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a specialized oncology center in Ribeirao Preto. The sample consisted of 22 patients with colorectal cancer who were receiving complementary therapy. Data were collected from July 2006 through September 2007. The quality of life Core-30 Questionnaire was used to measure quality of life. RESULTS: Patients had a satisfactory quality of life score (mean = 79.13). The most affected domains were emotional functioning, pain, insomnia, and fatigue. Women had worse scores on emotional and cognitive functioning, pain, insomnia, fatigue, constipation, and loss of appetite. Patients who were receiving radiotherapy had a worse pain score. Patients who had no symptoms during chemotherapy had higher scores on quality of life. CONCLUSION: The quality of life scores in this sample of patients was satisfactory. Lower quality of life scores were observed among women, and patients who were receiving radiotherapy and/or had side effects of chemotherapy.

Quality of life of breast cancer patients in adjuvant therapy

This study aimed to assess the Quality of Life (QoL) and to identify the domains affected in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant therapy and to correlate them with sociodemographic, clinical and therapeutic characteristics. This is a cross-sectional study with 35 patients, developed from August, 2007, to December, 2008. The Quality of Life Core-30-Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) instrument was used. The general Quality of Life was considered less than satisfactory. The most affected domains were: emotional function, insomnia, pain and fatigue. In the correlations, the patients above 60 years presented worse scores on emotional function, the patients submitted to the surgery related more constipation, patients receiving radiotherapy presented worse scores on general QoL and the ones that had more than six cycles of chemotherapy presented the emotional function affected and dyspnea. The conclusion is that the adjuvant treatments had affected in some way the patients, causing a deficit in the emotional function and other related symptoms, and impaired their QoL.O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a Qualidade de Vida (QV), identificar os dominios afetados em pacientes com câncer de mama em terapia adjuvante e correlaciona-los com caracteristicas socio-demograficas, clinicas e terapeuticas. Estudo transversal, realizado com 35 pacientes entre agosto de 2007 e dezembro de 2008. Utilizou-se o instrumento Quality of Life Core-30-Questionnaire (QLQ-C30). A Qualidade de Vida geral foi considerada pouco satisfatoria. Os dominios afetados foram: funcao emocional, insonia, dor e fadiga. Nas correlacoes, as pacientes acima de 60 anos apresentaram pior escore na funcao emocional, as submetidas a cirurgia referiram mais constipacao, as que realizavam radioterapia obtiveram pior escore para QV geral e as que estavam em quimioterapia ha mais de seis ciclos apresentaram a funcao emocional afetada e dispneia. Concluiu-se que os tratamentos adjuvantes afetaram de algum modo as pacientes, causando deficit na funcao emocional e relataram mais sintomas, prejudicando assim sua QV.