Relationship Between Physical Activity Level and Characteristics of Patients with Cancer

Raphaela Espanha Corrêa,Rute Estanislava Tolocka

doi:10.21527/2176-7114.2021.43.11178

Abstract

Evidences have shown that Physical Activity (PA) can decrease side effects, such as fatigue and pain, as well as promote increase of muscular endurance, oxygen consumption and quality of life) of patients with different phases of cancer treatments. However, studies have demonstrated that patients with cancer diagnosis may show insufficient levels of PA. Therefore, it is necessary to check the profile of such patients. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze PA level and the sociodemographic and clinical profile of patients with cancer. It is a field study that included 247 patients of both sex, above 18 years old any type of cancer. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-IPAQ-Bref was used to measure PA and the clinical profile was assessed using a questionnaire. The breast cancer was most common type (32.4%), the mean age was 60.08 ± 13.12 and patients in general have inadequate levels of PA, independent of treatment phase. It was found negative association between age and time of PA (rho=-0.145, p<0.05), years of diagnosis were associated with the level of PA: less than one year of diagnosis can be a significant predictor of low physical activity level (OR= 28.457; 95% CI 1.706 – 474.589; p= 0.020) and for moderate physical activity level (OR= 29.578; 95% CI 1.409 – 620.746; p= 0.029), Implementation of public policies to spread information and to offer PA programs to patients with cancer are needed, especially in the beginning of the treatment.

Highlights

Analyses of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 revealed that 17.1% of the deaths from 1990-2017 were due to neoplasms (SORYANO et al, 2020)
The literature showed that cancer diagnosis may result in some consequences for patients; long and invasive treatements can unleash side effects that can affect physical aspects, as well as general quality of life, while evidences showed that physical activity practice can help both during treatment and post treatment, increasing affect functions
The results of this study showed that patients tend to diminish the Physical Activity (PA) levels after diagnosis

Summary

Introduction

Analyses of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 revealed that 17.1% of the deaths from 1990-2017 were due to neoplasms (SORYANO et al, 2020). Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, can trigger a series of undesirable side effects, both acute and chronic, which can significantly affect patients. Cancer patients can develop a series of other harmful conditions, such as increased body fat, low body mass index and waist circumference, which can contribute to the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. They may present an increased risk for falls and possible bone fractures, due to low physical fitness of the lower limbs (ORTIZ et al, 2018)

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion