The Impact of Radiodermatitis on Breast Cancer Patients' Quality of Life During Radiotherapy: A Prospective Cohort Study.

CONTEXT: In the oncology field, quality of life (QoL) is recognized as an essential component. However, few studies have evaluated radiotherapy (RT) and its adverse events, specifically radiodermatitis. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of radiodermatitis severity on QoL of women with breast cancer (BC) throughout RT. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted with 100 BC patients evaluated weekly during RT. The Dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaire and the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group scale were used. The generalized estimated equations were used to examine the association between the total score of QoL and their domains, time of RT, and the radiodermatitis score, controlled by confounding factors. Estimated marginal means and 95% CIs were compared pairwise by applying Sequential Sidak. RESULTS: The total QoL score and their domains (work/school, leisure, daily activities, symptoms, and feelings) were significantly associated with the evaluation times of RT (P < 0.001), the radiodermatitis score (P ≤ 0.002), and the interaction between timing (T) of treatment and radiodermatitis score (P < 0.001). When assessing post hoc, it was identified that the worst QoL scores were in the presence of Grade 3 (mean = 6.00) in T3 and Grade 4 (6.50; 7.00) in T5 and T6, respectively, and this difference was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: RT negatively influenced the QoL of women with BC, with the greatest impact resulting from severe radiodermatitis. Actions aimed at minimizing the impairment on QoL need to be adopted to make this exhausting process less traumatic and easier to complete.

Is there agreement between evaluators that used two scoring systems to measure acute radiation dermatitis?

To analyze the agreement between the nurses evaluating radiodermatitis that used the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) and the World Health Organization (WHO) scales.A prospective and longitudinal study conducted in 2016 to 2017, in a university hospital. We analyzed 855 images of irradiated sites of 100 breast cancer women during radiotherapy. In order to evaluate the agreement between 3 observers that evaluated theses irradiated sites Krippendorff's alpha and weighted kappa were obtained and analyzed.The pairwise agreement among the evaluators was fair and moderate (RTOG scale: 0.408, 95% confidence interval, CI 0.370-0.431; WHO scale: 0.559, 95% CI 0.529-0.590). In addition, the general agreement rates were 10.2% and 29.2%, respectively. When assessing the overall absolute agreement between the evaluators according with different phototypes and types of surgery, there was a fair agreement according to the RTOG scale when evaluating patients with phototype V or VI and mastectomy (3.7% and 8.8%, respectively).The RTOG and WHO scales should be used with caution in clinical practice to identify the prevalence of radiodermatitis and the severity. Another point of caution is that skin phototype and the type of surgery may influence the analysis outcome. An illustrative scale was designed and proposed, by our group, aiming to improve accuracy and agreement between evaluators that will be tested in subsequent clinical studies.

Vulnerabilidade de adolescentes em pesquisa e prática clínica / Vulnerability of adolescents in clinical research and practice / La vulnerabilidad de los adolescentes en la investigación y en la práctica clínica

Resumo Os adolescentes são considerados grupo vulnerável e exposto a diferentes ameaças à saúde, tornando-se necessária a discussão sobre aspectos éticos relacionados a sua participação em pesquisa e prática clínica. Por meio de revisão integrativa de literatura foram selecionados estudos que abordaram aspectos bioéticos relacionados à vulnerabilidade de adolescentes nos últimos quinze anos. Nove artigos atenderam aos critérios pré-estabelecidos para o estudo e foram agrupados em três categorias: 1) trabalhos que pontuaram a compreensão psicológica e cognitiva do adolescente ao participar de pesquisa científica; 2) estudos que enfatizaram aspectos relacionados a decisões médicas; e 3) estudos que abordaram a temática da sexualidade na adolescência. Após análise dos estudos selecionados, verificou-se que não é possível chegar a consenso válido para todas as situações que envolvem adolescentes em pesquisa e prática clínica.

Abstract Adolescents are considered vulnerable and exposed to different threats to health group, making it necessary discussion about ethical aspects related to their participation in research and clinical practice. The employed methodology was an integrative literature review and it was selected studies that approached the subject "bioethical matters related to vulnerability of adolescents" within the last fifteen years. Nine articles included the pre-established criteria to the study, grouped into three categories: 1) works that mentioned the psychological-cognitive comprehension of adolescent to participate in scientific research; 2) works emphasizing aspects related to medical decisions; and 3) studies approaching the issue of sexuality in adolescence. The analysis of selected studies found out it is not possible to reach a valid consensus to all situations involving adolescents in research and clinical practice.

Resumen Los adolescentes son considerados como grupo vulnerable y expuesto a diferentes amenazas en el ámbito de la salud, por lo cual es necesario que exista un debate sobre los aspectos éticos relacionados con su participación en la investigación y en la práctica clínica. Por medio de una revisión integradora de la literatura, se seleccionaron estudios que abordaban aspectos bioéticos relacionados con la vulnerabilidad de los adolescentes en los últimos quince años. Nueve artículos contemplaban los criterios preestablecidos para el estudio y se agruparon en tres categorías: 1) trabajos que contemplaban la comprensión psicológica y cognitiva del adolescente al participar en la investigación científica; 2) estudios que enfatizaban los aspectos relacionados con las decisiones médicas; y 3) estudios que abordaban la sexualidad en la adolescencia. Después del análisis de los estudios seleccionados, se verificó que no es posible llegar a un consenso válido para todas las situaciones que involucran adolescentes en la investigación y en la práctica clínica.

Validação semântica de instrumento para identificação da prática de enfermeiros no manejo das radiodermatites / Semantic validation of an instrument to identify the nursing practice in the management of radiodermatitis

Objetivou-se validar semanticamente o questionário ͞Cuidados com a pele nas radiodermatites͟, desenvolvido no Brasil, para identificar a prática dos enfermeiros relacionada à prevenção e ao manejo das radiodermatites. O processo de validação semântica ocorreu em um hospital especializado em oncologia tendo como amostra 27 enfermeiros. O questionário foi bem aceito e considerado importante para avaliar a assistência prestada. Identificou-se dificuldade de compreensão referente a alguns itens além de ter sido atribuído pequena importância àqueles que indicavam produtos não recomendados na prática. Concluiu-se que a etapa de validação semântica, para a conclusão da elaboração do questionário ͞Cuidados com a pele nas radiodermatites͟, foi imprescindível na medida em que criou um espaço em que os enfermeiros puderam dar sugestões, expor suas dificuldades de entendimento e também demonstrar aspectos considerados importantes por eles. Sua utilização permitirá identificar como o cuidado tem sido realizado e contribuirá para uma prática clínica baseada em evidências científicas.

The objective was to semantically validate the questionnaire ͞Skincare for radiodermatitis͟, developed in Brazil, to identify the nursing practice related to prevention and management of radiodermatitis. The semantic validation process occurred in a specialized oncology hospital with a sample of 27 nurses. The questionnaire was well accepted and it was considered important to assess the provided assistance. We identified difficulty to comprehend few items and little importance was given to those indicating non-recommended products in practice. We finished the semantic validation step for the conclusion of the questionnaire creation ͞Skincare for radiodermatitis͟ which is indispensable at the measure that a space was created for nurses to give suggestions, to expose their understanding difficulties and also to demonstrate aspects considered important by them. Its use will allow identification of how care has been provided and it will contribute for an evidence-based clinical practice.