Influence of pain on the functionality of the upper limbs in breast cancer survivors: a post-operativeanalysis at 6 and 12 months / Influência da dor na funcionalidade dos membros superiores em sobreviventes de câncer de mama: uma análise pós-operatória a 6 e 12 meses

• Autor(a) principal: Hermes, Mariana dos Santos
• Data de Publicação: 2021
• Outros Autores: Cunha, Natália de Souza, Kammers, Ingridy, Sacomori, Cinara, Back, Bruna Baungarten Hugen, Dias, Mirella, Sperandio, Fabiana Flores
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Brazilian Journal of Health Review
• Texto Completo: https://ojs.brazilianjournals.com.br/ojs/index.php/BJHR/article/view/41155
• topic: Breast Cancer; Pain; Functioning; Arm Morbidities; Upper Limb

Introduction: Breast is cancer is the most common cancer in women, and the various procedures and treatments performed after diagnosis can trigger physical symptoms. The objective was to verify the influence of pain on the functionality of the upper limbs (UL) in women after breast cancer surgery, in two postoperative periods. Methods: This is an exploratory cross-sectional study with women evaluated postoperatively at 6 (N=126) and 12 months (N=74). The outcomes were assessed using a Pain Body Diagram, a Numerical Pain Scale, and Quick-DASH. Multiple linear hierarchical regression analysis was performed adjusting for pain, clinical (radiotherapy, chemotherapy and axillary intervention), and sociodemographic variables (age, education level, ethnic), p <0.05. Results: Participants in the 6-month group had a similar functionality score (mean=27, SD=18.9) compared to the 12-month group (mean=24.6, SD=19.1). In both postoperative periods, the intensity of pain was classified as moderate, and the anterior region of the trunk was the most affected. Pain was more prevalent at 6 months (71.4%) compared to 12 months PO (57.3%), but the intensity of pain in the anterior and lateral trunk for the 12 months PO group was significantly higher compared to those at 6 months PO (p<.05). Among the variables included in the model, only pain was associated with worse functionality scores both at 6 (R²=0.23) and at 12 months postoperatively (R²=0.31). Conclusion: Pain was the most important factor influencing upper limb functionality. These results can guide professionals to foster pain control strategies to improve upper limb functionality.