Marta Nadal Delgado’s research while affiliated with Hospital Universitario de Badajoz and other places

Objectives: To identify subgroups of psychoneurological symptoms (PNS) and their relationship to different clinical variables in a sample of women with breast cáncer (BC) with different type of treatment, and the possible influence of these on quality of life (QoL), using a factorial principal components analysis. Data sources: Observational, cross-sectional, non-probability study (2017-2021) at Badajoz University Hospital (Spain). A total of 239 women with BC receiving treatment were included. Results: 68% of women presented fatigue, 30% depressive symptoms, 37.5% anxiety, 45% insomnia, and 36% cognitive impairment. The average score obtained for pain was 28.9. All the symptoms were related between themselves, and within the cluster of PNS. The factorial analysis showed three subgroups of symptoms, which accounted for 73% of variance: state and trait anxiety (PNS-1), cognitive impairment, pain and fatigue (PNS-2), and sleep disorders (PNS-3). The depressive symptoms were explained equally by PNS-1 and PNS-2. Additionally, two dimensions of QoL were found (functional-physical and cognitive-emotional. These dimensions correlated with the three PNS subgroups found. A relationship was found between chemotherapy treatment and PNS-3, and its negative impact on QoL. Conclusions: A specific pattern of grouped symptoms in a psychoneurological cluster with different underlying dimensions has been identified which negatively influences QoL of survivors of BC. Implication for nursing practice: It is important to raise awareness among professionals and patients about the existence of a cluster of PNS, the patient's profile, as well as the factors that exacerbate them. This will allow them to be treated more effectively and comprehensively.

La desnutrición es una de las comorbilidades más frecuentes en pacientes con cáncer de cabeza y cuello. Esta alteración del estado nutricional puede ser inducida por la caquexia, que suele estar asociada a tumores malignos, disfagia y/o odinofagia, el efecto iatrogénico del tratamiento (cirugía, quimioterapia y/o radioterapia), así como daños que se han generado. El uso de quimioterapia o radioterapia, especialmente cuando se combinan, puede aumentar la incidencia de efectos adversos, como mucositis orofaríngea, odinofagia, alteraciones del gusto, xerostomía, náuseas, vómitos y fatiga; todos estos pueden contribuir a la deshidratación y pérdida de peso significativa.

El cuidado nutricional y alimentario en personas con Diabetes Mellitus forma parte de la atención y asistencia que se viene prestando desde los Servicios de Salud. La formación en el diseño de dietas personalizadas adaptadas a este colectivo requiere una práctica que debe iniciarse en el pregrado universitario con la finalidad de sentar las bases para una posible especialización posterior en este campo. Los estudiantes de enfermería se convierten en potenciales referentes futuros dentro de los equipos multidisciplinares en Atención Primaria y consultas de atención especializada de los Servicios de Salud.

Objectives: To assess the relationship between (a) chemotherapy and monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatments and (b) depressive symptoms and quality of life (QOL) in patients with breast cancer. Sample & setting: 182 women with breast cancer in Spain who were undergoing chemotherapy with or without mAbs. Methods & variables: An observational, cross-sectional study was carried out. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QOL Questionnaire-Core 30 and the EORTC QOL Questionnaire-Breast Cancer were used to assess QOL. Patients were screened for depressive symptoms using the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Results: No relationship was found between the use of mAbs with chemotherapy and QOL, except for incidence of diarrhea. However, depressive symptoms had a negative and highly significant influence on the majority of the QOL parameters. Implications for nursing: The presence of depressive symptoms negatively affects QOL. Used concurrently, mAbs and chemotherapy do not negatively influence QOL, but some adverse effects, such as diarrhea, are common.

ADECUACIÓN DE LA INFORMACIÓN A ENFERMOS ONCOLÓGICOS CON CUIDADOS PALIATIVOS TEMPRANOS