Depression and fatigue symptoms increased during radiotherapy treatment, while QoL levels decreased. This demonstrates that these symptoms are strongly correlated and that their presence negatively influenced QoL. At the start of treatment, nurses need to advise patients and plan care, offering interventions to decrease these symptoms and improve QoL.

RESUMOO objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a Qualidade de Vida (QV), identificar os domínios afetados em pacientes com câncer de mama em terapia adjuvante e correlacioná-los com características sócio-demográficas, clínicas e terapêuticas. Estudo transversal, realizado com 35 pacientes entre agosto de 2007 e dezembro de 2008. Utilizou-se o instrumento Quality of Life Core-30-Questionnaire (QLQ-C30). A Qualidade de Vida geral foi considerada pouco satisfatória. Os domínios afetados foram: função emocional, insônia, dor e fadiga. Nas correlações, as pacientes acima de 60 anos apresentaram pior escore na função emocional, as submetidas à cirurgia referiram mais constipação, as que realizavam radioterapia obtiveram pior escore para QV geral e as que estavam em quimioterapia há mais de seis ciclos apresentaram a função emocional afetada e dispnéia. Concluiu-se que os tratamentos adjuvantes afetaram de algum modo as pacientes, causando déficit na função emocional e relataram mais sintomas, prejudicando assim sua QV.Descritores: Qualidade de vida. Neoplasias da mama. Enfermagem oncológica. RESUMEN El objetivo fue evaluar la calidad de vida (CV), identificar los dominios afectados en pacientes con cáncer de mama en terapia adyuvante y correlacionarlos con las características socio-demográficas, clínicas y terapéuticas. Estudio transversal, con

This descriptive and cross-sectional study aimed to assess the Quality of Life (QoL) of cancer patients who were receiving chemotherapy. The instrument European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer -Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) was used for data collection. The sample consisted of 30 patients who signed the informed consent term. Data were analyzed in SPSS software. The QLQ-C30 showed that, for physical, cognitive and social functions, and role performance mean scores ranged from 71.26 to 75.12, demonstrating a satisfactory level. In the emotional function, the mean score was low (55.46). On the symptoms scales, there were a predominance of insomnia, with a mean score of 34.44, followed by pain 23.33 and fatigue 22.31. The QoL was satisfactory in all domains except for the emotional function, which scored low demonstrating that the collateral effects of chemotherapy exert a negative influence on patients' quality of life. KEY WORDS RESUMENEstudio descriptivo y transversal desarrollado con el objetivo de evaluar la Calidad de Vida (CV) de pacientes con cáncer sometidos a quimioterapia. Para la recolección de datos, se utilizó el instrumento European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer -Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (EORTC QLQ-C30). La muestra se constituyó de 30 pacientes que firmaron el consentimiento informado. Los datos fueron analizados con el software SPS. El QLQ-C30 mostró que la puntuación promedio de las funciones físicas, cognitiva y social y desempeño de papel varió de 71,26 a 75,12, demostrando un nivel satisfactorio. En la función emocional, el promedio fue bajo de 55,46. En las escalas de síntomas hubo el predominio del insomnio con un promedio de 34,44, seguida de dolor 23,33 y fatiga 22,31. La CV fue satisfactoria en todos los dominios excepto la función emocional que fue baja demostrando que los efectos colaterales de la quimioterapia influyen negativamente la CV de los pacientes. DESCRIPTORES

This study aimed to investigate the frequency of symptoms of depression in patients with cancer of the head and neck undergoing radiotherapy treatment, in the initial, middle and final stages of the treatment. This is a prospective exploratory quantitative study of 41 patients with head and neck cancer, undergoing radiotherapy treatment in the Oncology Outpatient Clinic of the Beneficência Portuguese Hospital of Ribeirão Preto. Data were collected through the Beck Depression Inventory instrument, and analyzed quantitatively by means of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Symptoms of dysphoria were found to increase throughout the treatment, as well as the number of patients with depression. The results show the importance for the healthcare professionals to detect the prevalence and the levels of the symptoms of depression, since these symptoms tend to increase and may lead to consequences such as a lack of adherence to treatment and a decrease in the quality of life of these patients. Síntomas del depresión en los pacientes con cáncer de cabeza y cuello en tratamiento radioterápico: un estudio prospectivoEl objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la frecuencia de los síntomas de depresión en pacientes con cáncer de cabeza y cuello en el principio, medio y final del tratamiento radioterápico. Se trata de un estudio prospectivo, exploratorio y cuantitativo realizado con 41 pacientes con cáncer de cabeza y cuello en tratamiento de radioterapia en la Clínica de Oncología del Hospital Beneficencia Portuguesa de Ribeirão Preto. Los datos fueron recolectados a través del Inventario de Depresión de Beck y analizados cuantitativamente en el programa Statistical Package of Social Science. Como resultados se obtuvo los síntomas de disforia aumentaron durante el tratamiento, así como el número de pacientes con depresión. Los resultados muestran la importancia de los profesionales de salud en detectar los niveles y la prevalencia de síntomas de depresión, ya que estos síntomas tienden a aumentar y pueden llevar a consecuencias como la falta de adherencia al tratamiento y disminución de la calidad de vida de los pacientes.Descriptores: Radioterapia; Depresión; Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello.

There are gaps in knowledge regarding the most efficient support surfaces and the specifications of the products used to prevent pressure ulcers due to surgical positioning.

Qualidade de vida em idosos que sofreram quedas: revisão integrativa da literaturaQuality of life in elderly people that have suffered falls: integrative literature reviewResumo Foi realizada uma Revisão Integrativa da Literatura com o objetivo de avaliar o conhecimento científico produzido relacionado à qualidade de vida do idoso que sofreu quedas. Métodos: foram selecionados artigos publicados nas bases de dados Lilacs, CINAHL e Medline, com os seguintes descritores: qualidade de vida, idoso e acidentes por quedas, nos idiomas português, inglês e espanhol, entre 1999 e 2009. Resultados: nove artigos atenderam aos critérios de inclusão. Encontrou-se que as quedas são frequentes nos idosos, sendo que aqueles com mais fatores de risco intrínsecos e que já caíram apresentaram mais medo e possuem mais chance de caírem novamente; e também relataram déficits nas funções física, mental/emocional, dor corporal e relacionados ao meio ambiente e que programas de prevenção de quedas podem melhorar sua qualidade de vida com o tempo. Conclusão: evidenciou-se como lacunas no conhecimento: escassa produção científica nacional, principalmente de autores enfermeiros, e predomínio de estudos descritivos e com nível de evidência considerado fraco. Sugere-se a atuação dos profissionais de saúde em pesquisas de intervenções para prevenção de quedas as quais possam ser aplicadas na prática clínica e que possibilitem melhorar a qualidade de vida dos idosos. Palavras-chave Qualidade de vida, Idoso, Acidentes por quedas, Saúde do idoso, Revisão Abstract An Integrative Literature Review was conducted in order to evaluate the scientific knowledge produced regarding quality of life of the elderly who have suffered falls. Published articles between 1999 and 2009 were selected from the LILACS, CINAHL and MEDLINE databases, and the following search words in Portuguese, English and Spanish were used: quality of life, the elderly and accidents involving falls. Nine articles met the inclusion criteria. It was revealed that falls are frequent among the elderly, and especially the elderly with more intrinsic risk factors and who have suffered falls are those who are more afraid and more prone to fall again. They also reported physical, mental and emotional impairments, body pains and environmental problems. It was revealed that programs to prevent falling can improve the quality of life of the elderly over time. It was clear that there are knowledge gaps, especially a low level of national scientific output, especially by nurses and the predominance of descriptive studies, with low levels of data. We suggest that health professionals conduct research into interventions to prevent falls that can be used in clinical practice in improving the quality of life of the elderly.

Objective: To conduct an integrative literature review and evaluate the evidence regarding quality of life of patients with colon and rectal cancer. Methods: A literature search was conducted between 1997 and 2007 using the LILACS, CINAHL and MEDLINE databases. Results: The diagnosis and treatment of cancer affect several domains of quality of life of the sample of patients. A number of factors, such as, engaging in exercise, increased physical conditioning, good nutrition, and psychosocial support led to better quality of life. Conclusions: There was a lack of national publications, few publications by registered nurses, the predominance of descriptive studies, and weak level of evidence. We recommend that registered nurses conduct experimental studies to evaluate the effect of psychosocial interventions and physical activity programs in improving the quality of life of patients with cancer. Keywords: Quality of life; Colorectal neoplasms; Oncologic nursing. RESUMOObjetivo: Foi realizada uma revisão integrativa da literatura com o objetivo de avaliar as evidências disponíveis na literatura o conhecimento científico produzido relacionado à qualidade de vida (QV) do paciente adulto com câncer de cólon e reto. Métodos: Selecionamos artigos publicados nas bases de dados LILACS, CINAHL e MEDLINE, entre 1997 e 2007. Resultados: Encontramos que o diagnóstico e o tratamento para o câncer afetam vários domínios da QV do paciente e que fatores como a prática de exercícios, aumento da aptidão física, o estado de boa nutrição, a presença de suporte psicossocial e de rede social favorecem uma QV melhor. Conclusão: Como lacunas no conhecimento, detectamos falta de produção científica nacional, escassa contribuição do enfermeiro, predomínio de estudos descritivos, de nível de evidência considerado fraco. Sugerimos a atuação do enfermeiro em pesquisas de intervenções de suporte psicossocial e de programas de atividade física que possibilitem melhorar a QV do paciente oncológico. Descritores: Qualidade de vida; Neoplasias colorretais; Enfermagem oncológica. RESUMENObjetivo: Fue realizada una revisión integradora de la literatura con el objetivo de evaluar las evidencias disponibles en la literatura el conocimiento científico producido relacionado a la calidad de vida (CV) del paciente adulto con cáncer de colon y recto. Métodos: Seleccionamos artículos publicados en las bases de datos LILACS, CINAHL y MEDLINE, entre 1997 y 2007. Resultados: Encontramos que el diagnóstico y el tratamiento para el cáncer afectan varios dominios de la CV del paciente y que factores como la práctica de ejercicios, aumento de la aptitud física, el estado de buena nutrición, la presencia de soporte psicosocial y de red social favorecen una CV mejor. Conclusión: Como vacíos en el conocimiento, detectamos: falta de producción científica nacional, escasa contribución del enfermero y predominio de estudios descriptivos con un nivel de evidencia considerado débil. Sugerimos la actuación del enfermero en investigaciones de intervenciones de soporte...

Objective:characterize the scientific production of Brazil and Spain in regard to methodological aspects and aspects of health-related quality of life experienced by cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in both countries. Method:integrative literature review was conducted using the following databases: CINAHL, MEDLINE, SCOPUS and CUIDEN and the electronic libraries PubMed and SciELO, conducted in September 2013. Results:a total of 28 papers met the inclusion criteria. The synthesis of knowledge was presented in three categories of analysis: assessment of quality of life in different types of cancer; sociodemographic factors that influenced quality of life; and type of cancer and interventions that improve quality of life. Chemotherapy affects health-related quality of life and the most important factors were: age, sex, chemotherapy protocol, type of surgery, stage of the disease, educational level, and emotional intelligence. Complementary therapies such as acupuncture, guided visualization, prayers and exercise were positive and reduced side effects. Conclusion:the results showed a poor level of evidence, since 86% of the studies were cross-sectional descriptive studies; the instrument most frequently used to measure health-related quality of life was EORTC QLQ C-30 and more studies were conducted in Brazil than in Spain.