FUNCTIONALITY IN WOMEN UNDERGOING TREATMENT FOR BREAST CANCER: PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS

Anke Bergmann, Flávia Nascimento de Carvalho, Rosalina Jorge Koifman Anke Bergmann, Flávia Nascimento de Carvalho, Rosalina Jorge Koifman

Institution: INCA


“Objective: To evaluate the functionality of breast cancer patients and the associated factors with your complications. Methods: 104 women were evaluated at National Cancer Institute (Hospital do Câncer III / INCA). Data were collected by interview, physical examination and medical records. The following instruments were used: social support (MOS), quality of life (short WHOQOL) and upper limb function (DASH), which featured the outcome (functionality). The scores of social support, WHOQOL and clinical characteristics were considered independent variables. The selective response of each variable was obtained by univariate linear regression analysis. It was then built multiple linear regression model considering a significance level of 5%. Results: most women was 50 years or older, living without a partner, low education, housewives, overweight, in earlier clinical staging, underwent mastectomy with axillary dissection and received adjuvant treatment. The median of functionality was 27.10. None of the WHOQOL domains obtained the assumptions for linear regression. After adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI) and staging, the average grip strength (p = 0.003), social class (p = 0.018) and complications of healing (p = 0.015) were statistically significant for changing the functionality. Conclusion: Through this study we can establish the influence of external factors, covered by specific instruments, that contributing to the definition of the term functionality.Keywords: Breast Cancer, International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, Morbidity.”