Life In Brazilian Women Research Articles

Abstract PO5-11-10: Quality of life in Brazilian women with early breast cancer on adjuvant endocrine therapy

Abstract Background: There is a significant scarcity of quality of life (QOL) data among the Brazilian population with breast cancer. This study aims to evaluate QOL in Brazilian women with early breast cancer treated with adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) and to explore its relationships with patients’ clinical and social characteristics, type and duration of endocrine therapy and type of healthcare insurance. Methodology: Women with a history of early-stage estrogen-receptor positive invasive carcinoma of the breast on adjuvant endocrine therapy for at least 6 months were invited to participate of this study. QOL assessment was conducted using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BR23 questionnaires. Demographic and medical information were collected from medical records. Data collection performed using RedCap software. Qualitative variables were compared between groups using the Chi-square or exact Chi-square test and for quantitative variables the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test was used. Multivariable analysis was performed using Multiple linear regression models with Stepwise procedure. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Analyzes were performed in SAS 9.4. Results: From June 2021 to May 2023, a total of 461 women with ER+ early-stage breast cancer from 12 Brazilian institutions were included in this analysis. A total of 233 women (50.54%) were treated in private institutions. Mean age was 56.02 years (range 22-93), 47.69% were non-white and 38.7% were premenopausal. A total of 62.34% had prior lumpectomy, 43.1% had tumor stage II, 61.69% received prior chemotherapy and 15.18% were HER2 positive. Regarding ET, 45.2% were on aromatase inhibitors (AI), 40.61% on tamoxifen (TMX) and 14.19% on ovarian function suppression plus ET (OFS). Median duration of ET use was 2.78 years. From the adjustment of the multiple regression model, it was found that the variable patients with a higher educational level were a significant predictor for the Physical Functioning score (p < 0.0001). The Role Functioning score had the variables treatment in a private hospital (p = 0.0462) and a higher educational level (p = 0.0357) as significant predictors. The variables age > 60 years (p = 0.0006) and marital status: single (p = 0.0267) were significant predictors for the Emotional Functioning score. Cognitive Functioning was correlated with the variables age > 60 years (p < 0.0001) and treatment duration < 2 years (p = 0.0475). Social Functioning had significant predictors such as hormone therapy with AI (p = 0.0305) and hormone therapy with TMX (p = 0.0267) when compared to OFS, as well as treatment duration < 2 years (p = 0.0175). The variable age > 60 years was a predictor for the Fatigue score (p = 0.0233). The Pain score correlated with variables such as higher educational level (p = 0.0003) and treatment duration < 2 years (p = 0.0032). The variables treatment in a public hospital (p = 0.0066), age < 60 years (p = 0.0471), and treatment duration < 2 years (p = 0.0054) were predictors for a higher Arm Symptoms score. Regarding the Breast Symptoms score, the variables treatment in a public hospital (p = 0.0005), Caucasian ethnicity (p = 0.0006), radiation therapy (p = 0.0098), and treatment duration < 2 years (p = 0.0203) were predictors for the total score. Body Image correlated with variables such as age > 60 years (p = 0.0322), surgical approach: mastectomy (p = 0.0445), tumor size < 50mm (p = 0.0446), and radiation therapy (p = 0.0405). The Global health status score did not correlate with any variable. Conclusion: Lower educational level, age< 60 years, duration of ET less than 2 years had a significant impact in many domains of QOL. Radiotherapy was the treatment modality with more impact in QOL scores. The identification of modifiable factors related to QOL in this study provides valuable insights for the development of a customized intervention in Brazilian population. Citation Format: Danielle Santos, Cristiano Souza, Maria Cristina Magalhães, Daniela Pereira, Fernanda Moura, Sulene Oliveira, Anna Luiza Galvão, Bruno Souza, Amanda Castro, Monalisa Andrade, Andrea Shimada, Yuri Beckedorff, Carlos Paiva, Heloísa Resende, Angelica Rodrigues, Daniela Rosa, Daniele Assad-Suzuki, Romualdo Barroso-Sousa. Quality of life in Brazilian women with early breast cancer on adjuvant endocrine therapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO5-11-10.

Anthropometry and physical appearance can be associated with quality of life in Brazilian women with Turner syndrome.

This study aimed to analyze if anthropometric factors and physical appearance are associated to QoL in Turner syndrome (TS). Observational, analytical, and cross-sectional study. The SF-36 was applied along with an additional questionnaire regarding specific characteristics of TS. There were no differences in quality of life (QoL) in TS women regarding median height and appropriate height according to parental target height, however, participants satisfied and who did not desire to change their height had better scores in the mental health and role emotional domains than those not satisfied and desired to change it. When comparing participants who were or were not bothered by physical appearance, the results showed that those not bothered by physical appearance had a better score in the vitality and social function domains. Considering patients who did or did not desire to change physical appearance, those who did not want to change their physical appearance had higher scores in the mental component and in the social function and mental health domains of the SF-36. This study indicated that anthropometric factors and physical appearance may possibly be associated to QoL in TS, and also emphasizes the need to develop and validate an official questionnaire regarding specific TS characteristics in order to assess in more detail how specific characteristics of TS interfere with their QoL.

Does having Turner syndrome affect quality of life in Brazilian women compared to common population?

We aimed to measure the quality of life (QoL) of patients with Turner syndrome (PTS) and determine the extent to which their clinical or laboratory alterations influence QoL compared to reference women (RW) of the same age range. From Dec-2013 to Dec-2014, 90 participants were recruited. They were 18 years and older: 48 with Turner syndrome (TS) (PTS) and 42 without (RW). Recruited subjects completed the Portuguese version of Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire, and blood was drawn to measure LH, FSH, oestradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), SHBG, and SDHEA (by ECLIA) and testosterone (by LC MS/MS). Age and schooling were similar between groups. The most common occupations for PTS were health worker, administration and education, and health worker or cashier for RW. Most participants were Catholic or Evangelical. Eighty-one percent (39/48) of cases used Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT), mostly transdermal (23/39). RW and PTS scored similarly on the SF-36 questionnaire. RW had higher oestradiol (p = 0,01), lower FSH (p = 0,01) and higher testosterone (p = 0,01) than PTS. Concentrations of P4, LH, SHBG or SDHEA were similar. Significant associations were found among QoL and hormones (E2 with Vitality and LH with Physical Role) only in the PTS group. PTS do not consider that TS affects their QoL as measured by domains on the SF-36. Oestradiol was related with QoL, emphasising the importance of HRT.

Writing life narratives through art practice

ABSTRACTThis article shares some of my doctoral experiences in a practice-based PhD research in arts developed at the Chelsea College of Arts, University of the Arts London. It locates art practice within the academic research realm and contributes to researchers working on autobiographical studies and practice-based research methods. By offering an overview on my research topic focusing on the relationship between language and place in the life of Brazilian women living in London, I reflect on the relevance of “not-knowing” as a fruitful space for researching autobiographical and situated life narratives through art practice. The article concludes that qualitative methods are relevant for building passages from the individual to the collective sphere of an art practice developed within geographical displacement and in the context of academic research.

Melasma and assessment of the quality of life in Brazilian women.

BACKGROUNDMelasma is a chronic, acquired hyperpigmentation disease on sun-exposed areas of the skin, which affects patients' quality of life.OBJECTIVETo assess the impact on the quality of life of women living in Florianópolis, Brazil, through questionnaire (MelasQol), and investigate the clinical aspects and risk factors for melasma, correlating them with the MelasQol scores.METHODSThis study was performed on 51 melasma patients cared for at the University Hospital of the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. The variables included were: age, gender, age of onset of melasma, Fitzpatrick phototype (I-VI), duration and family history of melasma, onset of melasma during pregnancy, use of hormonal contraceptive, thyroid disorder and distribution of melasma. The MelasQoL questionnaire, validated for Brazilian Portuguese (MelasQoL-BP), was applied.RESULTSThe mean age was 38.43±6.75 years. All patients were women. The most common Fitzpatrick skin phototypes were III (49.02%) and IV (33.33%). Melasma had a mean age of onset of 29.18±7.05 years and a mean duration of 9.25±6.18 years. The majority of patients did not have familial history of melasma (50.98%). Melasma onset was associated with pregnancy (45.10%). The MelasQoL-BP analysis revealed significant emotional impact on patients, such as feeling bothered (94.11%), frustrated and embarrassed (64.71%), and depressed (52.94%) about their skin appearance, as well as unattractive (78.43%). No social impact was observed (P>0.05).CONCLUSIONMelasma has a strong emotional impact on quality of life, resulting especially from feelings about skin appearance.

Small for gestational age babies are not related to changes in markers of adipose tissue dysfunction during reproductive age

BackgroundSmall for gestational age (SGA) birth has been associated with adipocyte dysfunction during later phases of life. Because SGA women are at a higher risk of developing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), adipocyte dysfunction detected in patients with PCOS may be associated with SGA birth. AimsTo determine whether SGA birth is related to altered serum markers of adipose tissue dysfunction during the third decade of life in Brazilian women. A secondary objective was to relate the presence of PCOS with serum markers of adipose tissue dysfunction. Study designProspective cohort observational study. SubjectsA total of 384 women born at 37 to 42weeks of gestation from June 1, 1978 to May 31, 1979 in Ribeirão Preto, State of São Paulo, Brazil. After exclusion, 165 women participated in the study. Of these women, 43 were in the SGA group and 122 were in the adequate for gestational age group based on birth weight determined from cohort files. Outcome measuresBody mass index (BMI), arterial systolic and diastolic pressures, abdominal circumference and serum concentrations of total testosterone, fasting glucose and insulin, lipid profile, adiponectin, leptin and necrosis factor alpha tumor (TNFα). ResultsBMI was an independent predictor of lower adiponectin (adjusted coefficient=−0.02, p=0.01) and higher leptin (adjusted coefficient=0.06, p=0.01) concentrations. The serum insulin concentration was associated with higher leptin (adjusted coefficient=0.03, p=0.02) and TNF-α (adjusted coefficient=0.01, p=0.03) concentrations. Having PCOS or being born SGA did not predict any markers of adipocyte dysfunction.

P2-80 Early complications of breast cancer treatment and quality of life in Brazilian women

IntroductionPost-operative complications are a major cause of morbidity in women with breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between quality of life (QOL) before treatment...

Association of the Karnofsky Performance Scale with the quality of life of Brazilian Women Undergoing Palliative Care

Association of the Karnofsky Performance Scale with the quality of life of Brazilian Women Undergoing Palliative Care

Patients' report on how endometriosis affects health, work, and daily life

The objective of this study was to assess the burden of endometriosis by obtaining patient-reported outcome data describing the experience of living with this disease. Survey data from 107 women with self-reported, surgically diagnosed endometriosis showed that living with this disease may be characterized by physical limitations that disrupt health, work, and daily life.

Validation of the Prolapse Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (P-QoL) in Portuguese version in Brazilian women

The aim of this study is to validate the Portuguese translated version of the Prolapse Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (P-QoL). Ninety-eight women completed the P-QoL questionnaire translated into Portuguese at baseline and on the second visit, 2 weeks later. Clinical data and Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification Index (POP-Q) according to the International Continence Society were obtained. Psychometric properties of the questionnaire were assessed. Sixty-eight symptomatic and 30 asymptomatic women for POP symptoms were studied. Most patients presented POP-Q > 2. The P-QoL demonstrated good psychometric properties. The test-retest reliability confirmed a highly significant stability between the total scores for each domain (P < 0.0001). The construct validation distinguished differences in P-QoL questionnaire scores between symptomatic and asymptomatic women. The Portuguese version of the P-QoL questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument to assess quality of life in Brazilian women with pelvic organ prolapse.

Evaluation of the quality of life in Brazilian women with fibromyalgia, through the medical outcome survey 36 item short-form study

Evaluation of the quality of life in Brazilian women with fibromyalgia, through the medical outcome survey 36 item short-form study

Evaluation of the quality of life in Brazilian women with fibromyalgia, through the medical outcome survey 36 item short-form study

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of Fibromyalgia (FM) on the female patient's quality of life who attended the Rheumatology Outpatient Unit of Sorocaba Hospital Complex and compare it to the quality of life of healthy control group, through the Medical Outcome Study Short-form 36 item Survey (SF36). Subjects: 32 women who fitted the American College of Rheumatology Classification Criteria for Fibromyalgia and 28 healthy women. Materials and Methods: The groups were submitted to 'Medical Outcome Study 36 Item Short-form Survey' (SF36). This questionnaire is composed of 8 scales about several aspects of the quality of life. Results: The SF36 scales in the Fibromyalgia group presented the following results: general health - 43.3; functional ability - 39.4; bodily pain - 26.5; physical functioning - 14.8 (0- 75); vitality - 38.5 (5-85); emotional functioning - 32.2; mental health - 44.2; social functioning - 45.1. The SF36 scales in the control group presented the following results: general health - 73.2; functional ability - 86.6; bodily pain - 68.9; physical functioning - 82.4; vitality - 59.6; emotional functioning - 78.5; mental health - 67.4; social functioning - 77.9. Significant statistics variations in all evaluated scales were presented by the survey group. Conclusion: Fibromyalgia has had a negative impact on the quality of life.