ABSTRACT
Objective: Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignant neoplasm in women. Optimal treatment frequently includes a hormonal-blockage phase maintained for 5-10 years. Pharmacologic agents used for this blockage induce many climacteric-like symptoms, which often exact a heavy toll on patients' quality of life. Acupuncture has had promising results for treating climacteric-like symptoms induced by hormonal blockage, but there is no evidence of efficacy for controlling hot flashes. Materials and Methods: This trial used acupuncture to treat the climacteric-like symptoms of patients with breast cancer, focusing on the mental, physical, and genitourinary symptoms and sleep disturbances, to determine the influence of acupuncture treatment. The randomized placebo-controlled trial, at a university-based cancer center, with blinded data collectors, compared an Acupuncture group (A), a Sham-Acupuncture group (S), and a Wait-List Control group (C). The patients were receiving tamoxifen. Group A had 10 weekly sessions of manual Acupuncture; Group S had 10 weekly sessions of Sham Acupuncture; and Group C spent 10 weeks on a Wait-List. The main outcome measures were the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Results: Primary analysis revealed differences among the groups' improvements in scores for the 3 questionnaires (P < 0.001), The A group had significant improvements on the BDI-II (P < 0.001), PSQI (P < 0.002), and MRS (P < 0.004) compared to the S group in a post hoc analysis. Conclusions: Acupuncture improved sleep, and mental and emotional distress symptoms induced by hormonal blockage in patients with breast cancer. Clinical Trial: This trial was registered at CAAE as trial #: 37758414.8.0000.0065.
ABSTRACT
La menopausia es el periodo de transición en que la mujer culmina su edad reproductiva y trae consigo cambios anatómicos y fisiológicos, manifestados principalmente por síntomas vasomotores y urogenitales, con gran afectación de la calidad de vida de las pacientes. Es de gran importancia conocer las alternativas terapéuticas que existen, la evidencia que las respalda, y así ofrecer la mejor alternativa según indicaciones, eficacia, perfil de efectos adversos y contraindicaciones de cada una. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda y selección de la literatura en las bases de datos Cochrane, Pubmed, SciELO, JAMA, en idiomas español e inglés, sin restricción de fecha. Conclusiones: Las terapias actuales no son satisfactorias, bien sea por la baja eficacia en el control de los síntomas o por su asociación con efectos adversos de importancia. Es necesario evaluar acuciosamente el riesgo-beneficio de cada intervención.
Menopause is the transitioning phase of a woman at the end of her reproductive age and which is associated with both anatomical and physiological changes, with great compromise of quality' of Iife. It is of upmost importance to be aware of the currently available therapeutic options, the evidence that supports them, and thus, be able to provide the best alternative according to medical indications, efficacy, adverse effects and counter-indications. Methods: We conducted a search on the databases Cochrane, Pubmed, SciELO, JAMA, both in English and Spanish, without date restrictions. Conclusión: Current therapies are not satisfactory, either because of their low efficacy in symptom control or because of the associated risks. It is necessary to make a thorough evaluation of the benefit/risk relation for every individualized case.
Subject(s)
Menopause , Dyspareunia/diagnosis , Estrogens/analysisABSTRACT
Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, lineal y prospectivo de 50 pacientes que presentaron síntomas climatéricos y acudieron a la consulta de Terapia Floral, con el objetivo de valorar el efecto de la Terapia Floral en el tratamiento de los síntomas. Al total de las pacientes se le aplicó una encuesta y se les indicó el tratamiento, se valoraron nuevamente al concluirlo con lo cual se pudo analizar la evolución de los síntomas. En la muestra estudiada se encontraban los síntomas psicológicos: la depresión, la ansiedad y el nerviosismo. Por otra parte los síntomas neurovegetativos, que son los más molestos por las pacientes, tuvieron un mayor porcentaje de mejoría con respecto al resto de los síntomas. Con excepción de la sequedad de la piel, que sólo obtuvo un 50% de mejoría, el resto de los síntomas tuvo una respuesta positiva con Terapia Floral.
A descriptive, linear, and prospective study was conducted in 50 patients presenting with climacteric symptoms seen at the Floral Therapy Office to assess the effect of this therapy in the treatment of their symptoms. All the patients were surveyed and treatment was indicated. They were examined again at the end of the treatment to assess the patients' evolution. Psychological symptoms, depression, anxiety, and nervousness were found in the studied sample. On the other hand, the neurovegetative syndromes that are the most unpleasant for patients showed a higher percentage of improvement compared with the rest of the symptoms. Excepting skin dryness that had only 50 % of improvement, the rest of the symptoms responded positively to floral therapy.