Investigação da fadiga, da força muscular respiratória e periférica em indivíduos com câncer

Abstract

In recent years, the treatment of cancer has evolved allowing greater patient survival, but the side effects such as decreased immunity and fatigue, influence the respiratory and muscular system. The present study aimed to investigate fatigue, respiratory and peripheral muscle strength in healthy and cancerous individuals. The individuals were divided into two groups called cancer (n: 98) and control (n: 86). Both groups answered the FACT-Fatigue questionnaire and were submitted to an anthropometry evaluation (body mass, height, waist circumference and body mass index), manuvacuometry (maximum respiratory pressures) and dynamometry (palmar grip). As results, it was observed that the most reported types of cancer were abdominopelvic and breast, with stage II being the highest percentage. The Cancer group had presented lower values in the respiratory variables (PEmax p <0.001 and PImax p<0.001) and left hand grip strength (p=0.024) besides greater fatigue reported when compared to the Control group (p<0.001). There was no difference in the variables analyzed between the types of cancer. The PEmax was different between the stages of the disease, being more evident between stages II and III when compared to the stage 0 (p=0.047). A positive and strong correlation between the variables on right and left hand grip strength, maximal expiratory pressure and maximal inspiratory pressure were observed in the Cancer group. Moderate correlation between maximal expiratory pressure and left hand grip strength. It is concluded that fatigue, respiratory and peripheral muscular strength are reduced in individuals in chemotherapy treatment and peripheral muscular strength is positively correlated to respiratory muscular strength, but not to fatigue reported in individuals with and without cancer.