Natália de Souza Cunha1, Kamilla Zomkowski2, Bráulio Leal Fernandes3, Cinara Sacomori4, Adriana Coutinho de Azevedo Guimarães5, Fabiana Flores Sperandio6. 1. Physical Therapy Department, College of Health and Sports Science-CEFID, Santa Catarina State University-UDESC, Rua Pascoal Simone, 358, Coqueiros, Florianópolis, SC, 88080-350, Brazil. ndscunha@gmail.com. 2. Department of Physiotherapy, Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina - Unisul, Avenida Pedra Branca, 25, Cidade Universitária Pedra Branca, Palhoça, SC, Brazil. 3. Hospital Universitário Polydoro Ernani de São Thiago and Carmela Dutra Maternity, Rua Profa, Maria Flora Pausewang, s/n-Trindade, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil. 4. Escuela de Kinesiología, Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins (UBO), Santiago, Chile. 5. Physical Education Department, College of Health and Sports Science-CEFID, Santa Catarina State University-UDESC, Rua Pascoal Simone, 358, Coqueiros, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil. 6. Physical Therapy Department, College of Health and Sports Science-CEFID, Santa Catarina State University-UDESC, Rua Pascoal Simone, 358, Coqueiros, Florianópolis, SC, 88080-350, Brazil.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Each year, the number of breast cancer (BC) cases increases in Brazil and worldwide. In addition, BC affects women of working age who need to resume their jobs after treatments. This is an observational, cross-sectional study that investigated the association of physical symptoms and work tasks with upper limb disability and return to work in BC survivors. METHODS: Sociodemographic, labor, clinical and surgical aspects, and physical incapacity of the upper limbs of 62 women diagnosed with BC were evaluated through a questionnaire of our own and the disability of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) questionnaire. The data were analyzed by the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS version 20.0 and a significance of p < 0.05 was adopted. Logistic regression and odds ratio were used to verify the level of association between work tasks and pain with return to work, and multiple linear regression verified the association of physical symptoms with upper limb functionality. RESULTS: The work tasks associated with non-return to work were raising objects above the head (OR 3.64, 95% CI 1.26-10.51), lifting objects of more than 5 kg (OR 2.88, 95% CI 1.02-8.13), and loading objects of more than 5 kg (OR 3.93; 95% CI 1.14-10.07). The pain in the upper quadrant homologous to the surgery explained 64% of the variance in physical incapacity of the upper limbs. CONCLUSIONS: There is an association of labor tasks that require upper limb strength and range of motion with non-return to work, and also pain in the upper quadrant homologous to the BC with reduction in the functionality of the upper limbs.
BACKGROUND: Each year, the number of breast cancer (BC) cases increases in Brazil and worldwide. In addition, BC affects women of working age who need to resume their jobs after treatments. This is an observational, cross-sectional study that investigated the association of physical symptoms and work tasks with upper limb disability and return to work in BC survivors. METHODS: Sociodemographic, labor, clinical and surgical aspects, and physical incapacity of the upper limbs of 62 women diagnosed with BC were evaluated through a questionnaire of our own and the disability of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) questionnaire. The data were analyzed by the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS version 20.0 and a significance of p < 0.05 was adopted. Logistic regression and odds ratio were used to verify the level of association between work tasks and pain with return to work, and multiple linear regression verified the association of physical symptoms with upper limb functionality. RESULTS: The work tasks associated with non-return to work were raising objects above the head (OR 3.64, 95% CI 1.26-10.51), lifting objects of more than 5 kg (OR 2.88, 95% CI 1.02-8.13), and loading objects of more than 5 kg (OR 3.93; 95% CI 1.14-10.07). The pain in the upper quadrant homologous to the surgery explained 64% of the variance in physical incapacity of the upper limbs. CONCLUSIONS: There is an association of labor tasks that require upper limb strength and range of motion with non-return to work, and also pain in the upper quadrant homologous to the BC with reduction in the functionality of the upper limbs.
Entities:
Keywords:
Breast neoplasms; Disability and health; Pain measurement; Rehabilitation; Return to work; Upper extremity
Authors: Saskia F A Duijts; Martine P van Egmond; Evelien Spelten; Peter van Muijen; Johannes R Anema; Allard J van der Beek Journal: Psychooncology Date: 2013-12-23 Impact factor: 3.894