Factors associated with depression symptoms in women after breast cancer

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To analyze the factors associated with the presence of depression symptoms in women after breast cancer. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 181 women with breast cancer, aged 57.0 years (SD = 9.5), who were undergoing treatment or after treatment in the Oncology Research Center in Florianópolis, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The questionnaire comprised items addressing general and health information, economic level, anthropometric measures, depression symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory), self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), and body image (Body Image After Breast Cancer Questionnaire). Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were performed by chi-square and Fisher's exact tests to verify association, Mann-Whitney U test to compare the groups and Poisson regression to identify the prevalence ratio of the factors associated with presence of depression symptoms (p < 0.05). RESULTS: We found an association between the presence of depression symptoms and the group of younger women (aged 40-60 years), those who had another disease besides cancer, those who had mastectomy surgery, those who suffered from lymphedema, and those who presented low-medium self-esteem. Less educated women presented more depressive symptoms, as did women with worse body image on the subscales of limitations, transparency, and arm concerns. CONCLUSIONS: Age, educational attainment, diagnosis of other diseases, type of surgery, lymphedema, self-esteem, and body image were factors associated with the presence of depression symptoms in Brazilian women after breast cancer. Health professionals should be aware of these relationships and try to detect depression symptoms earlier and improve the care they provide to these women.

Afrontamiento a la enfermedad en mujeres sobrevivientes de cáncer de mama / Coping in breast cancer survivors

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, desde un paradigma cuantitativo, entre febrero y julio de 2015, con el objetivo de identificar las principales fuentes de estrés, las estrategias de afrontamiento empleadas, evaluar los estados emocionales (ansiedad y depresión), así como la funcionalidad de las estrategias de afrontamiento al cáncer de mama en las mujeres evaluadas. Se utilizó una muestra de trabajo no probabilística intencional que incluyó a 115 participantes. Fueron utilizadas varias técnicas: entrevista psicológica semiestructurada, escala de modos de afrontamiento de Lazarus, inventario de Ansiedad Rasgo- Estado y prueba de Zung y Conde. Existió un predominio de las estrategias de afrontamiento centradas en la emoción. La ansiedad se comportó en niveles medios y prevaleció la distimia depresiva como indicadores característicos del funcionamiento emocional. Las estrategias de afrontamiento empleadas no resultaron funcionales para regular el malestar emocional, lo que aumenta la vulnerabilidad ante la enfermedad.

A quantitative descriptive research from February and July, 2015 was aimed at identifying the main sources of stress, coping strategies used, as well as, evaluating emotional states (anxiety, depression) and functionality of coping strategies of the evaluated women with breast cancer. A non-probabilistic sample conformed by 115 participants was used. Several techniques were employed, such as semi-structured psychological interview, Lazarus, Ways of Coping Questionnaire, State - Trait Anxiety Inventory and Zung- Conde Scale. There was a prevalence of emotion-focused coping strategies. Mean levels of anxiety were observed and dysthymia prevailed as characteristic indicators of emotional functioning. Coping strategies were not useful for regulating distress, which increases the vulnerability to disease.

Frequência e fatores associados à síndrome da mama fantasma em mulheres submetidas à mastectomia por câncer de mama / Frequency and associated factors of phantom breast syndrome in women submitted to mastectomy for breast cancer

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a frequência e os fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento da síndrome da mama fantasma em pacientes submetidas à mastectomia para o tratamento do câncer de mama.MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte com mulheres atendidas em um hospital especializado da região sudeste do Brasil no período de setembro de 2008 a junho de 2009. Foram consideradas como tendo síndrome da mama fantasma pacientes com relato da presença de dor na mama fantasma e/ou sensação na mama fantasma. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do Instituto Nacional de Câncer José Alencar Gomes da Silva (INCA) (015/08). Foi realizada análise descritiva por meio da frequência absoluta e relativa. Para avaliar a associação entre a SMF e os potenciais fatores de risco, foi realizada análise univariada, por meio de odds ratios(OR) com os respectivos intervalos com 95% de confiança (IC95%).RESULTADOS: Foram incluídas 88 pacientes. A frequência da SMF observada aos 45 dias (primeiro seguimento) foi de 44,3 e 18,2% aos 2 anos (último seguimento). A maioria das mulheres apresentou relato de sensação na mama fantasma em todos os seguimentos (37,1; 30,1 e 22%). No seguimento de 6 meses, mulheres com idade inferior a 60 anos apresentaram um risco 3,9 vezes maior de apresentar síndrome da mama fantasma (OR=3,9; IC95% 1,4-10,5) e aquelas com maior escolaridade (8 anos ou mais de estudo) apresentaram maior risco de desenvolver SMF (OR=2,6; I 95% 1,01-6,8).CONCLUSÃO: A população estudada apresentou alta frequência de SMF, com diminuição ao longo do seguimento pós-operatório. Sua ocorrência no seguimento de seis meses foi maior entre as mulheres mais jovens e com maior escolaridade.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the frequency and risk factors for the development of phantom breast syndrome in patients submitted to mastectomy after breast cancer treatment.METHODS: A cohort study of women undergoing treatment at the Hospital of Cancer III, National Cancer Institute José Alencar Gomes da Silva (INCA) from September 2008 to June 2009. PBS was considered based on report of phantom breast sensation and/or phantom breast pain. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the INCA (015/08). Descriptive analysis using absolute and relative frequency was performed. To evaluate the association between PBS and potential risk factors, univariate analysis was performed by means of odds ratios (OR) with respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).RESULTS: A total of 88 patients were included. The frequency of PBS observed was 44.3 at 45 days (first follow-up) and 18.2% at 2 years (last follow-up). Most women reported phantom breast syndrome in all segments (37.1; 30.1 and 22%). During the six month follow-up, women under the age of 60 years had a 3.93 times higher risk of PBS (OR=3.9; 95%CI 1.4-10.5) and those with higher education (8 years or more of study) had a higher risk of developing PBS (OR=2.6; 95%CI 1.01-6.8).CONCLUSION: The study population had a high frequency of PBS, which decreased over postoperative follow-up. Its occurrence after six months was higher among younger and more educated women.