Characterization of fatigue in women with breast neoplasia submitted to chemotherapy under the behavioral dimension of the piper scale-revised

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to characterize fatigue in women with breast cancer who underwent chemotherapy treatment under the behavioral dimension of the Revised Piper Scale. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, conducted at the Outpatient Clinic of a Breast Pathology Clinic of the Pernambuco Cancer Hospital (PCH). The data collection procedure was performed through the Free and Informed Consent Term (FICT) for each of the 317 women and subsequently responded to the collection instrument for the Piper Revised Fatigue Scale. Results: Results show that fatigue interferes with the ability to complete work or school activities significantly in women. Regarding the intensity of stress caused by fatigue, it was found that 117 women (36.9%) answered values equal to or lower than the cutoff point, while 200 women (63.1%) scored values in the range of five to ten. Conclusion: The importance of further studies that address the impact of side effects of chemotherapy treatments on women's lives is highlighted, as it directly and indirectly reflects on the emotional state, favoring increased stress and, consequently, increasing the prevalence of fatigue.