Dados do Resumo

Título

The impact of quality of life on breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy: a look at side effects.

Introdução

Quality of life (QoL) is a subjective concept assessed from the patient's perspective, which encompasses the physical, social and emotional functions of individuals. Among the important aspects that can influence the QoL of women with breast cancer are the side effects of chemotherapy treatment, as these agents also act on the cell cycle of healthy cells, causing damage to normal cells and tissues. They can increase patient suffering and represent an additional burden for these women.

Objetivo

To assess the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy/NEOQT treatment on the quality of life of women with non-metastatic breast cancer, both by identifying the main symptoms and by identifying the moments when this happens.

Métodos

Prospective cohort study, carried out at the A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, from July 2022 to July 2023. Numerous questionnaires were used to assess QoL, in addition to the EORTC QLQ BR23 self-completion questionnaire, at different times: Start of chemotherapy (M0), at change of protocol (M1) and after completion (M2). The study included 149 women with non-metastatic breast cancer with an indication for NEOQT, who signed the approved informed consent form. The data collected was entered into a database built in the institutional REDCap® system. To summarize the quantitative variables, summary measures of position and dispersion will be considered, such as mean, median, standard deviation and minimum and maximum values, and absolute and relative frequencies (%) will be used for the qualitative variables. Friedman's test was used to assess whether the questionnaires applied differed between the moments evaluated. We considered p=0.05. Ethics approval nº3077/21.

Resultados

From 149, 73.9% were aged 45-59, 47.0% had Clinical Stage II disease and 50.3% had B luminal tumors. With regard to arm symptoms, there was a reduction in the frequency, to some degree, of PAIN (30.9-29.4%) and DIFFICULTY IN SIDE MOVEMENT (12.8-8.4%), but an increase in EDEMA (4.7-17.7%). As for breast symptoms, there was a reduction in the frequency, to some degree, of PAIN (38.9-18.9%), EDEMA (25.5-7.7%), SENSITIVITY (32.9-15.4%) but an increase in SKIN CHANGES (9.4-11.2%). For those symptoms identified as adverse effects of chemotherapy, the scale revealed an increase in the frequency, to some degree, of all events: DRY MOUTH (23.5-77.6%), INAPPETANCE (17.4-83.9%), EYE SENSITIVITY (10.7-64.3%), FATIGUE (32.2-88.8%), HEADACHE (40.3-46.9%), ALOPECIA (16.1-96.5%). Around 72.0% reported no problems with libido at the start of NEOQT; this figure dropped to 46.8%. Dissatisfaction with their bodies and appearance increased from 28.9 to 60.8%. QoL scores worsen between time points (p<0.05)

Conclusões

We noticed that the frequencies of reporting symptoms or adverse effects of chemotherapy increased over time, negatively impacting the EORTC scale scores. This alerts us to the importance of managing these effects; however, some of them, such as body image, fatigue or increased sensitivity, may not necessarily require clear control. Therefore, it is extremely important to maintain active listening and welcoming of patients in these cases, in addition to stimulating their self-knowledge.

Financiador do resumo

Não se aplica

Palavras Chave

quality of life; Breast cancer; chemotherapy