Comparison of Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors with and without Persistent Depressive Symptoms: A 12-Month Follow-Up Study

Fernanda Elisa Ribeiro, William Rodrigues Tebar, Gerson Ferrari, Mariana Romanholi Palma, Cristina Elena Fregonesi, Daniela Tanajura Caldeira, Gabriela Caroline Rodrigues Silva, Luiz Carlos Marques Vanderlei, Victor Spiandor Beretta and Diego Giulliano Destro Christofaro ()
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Fernanda Elisa Ribeiro: Physical Education Department, Graduate Program in Movement Sciences, School of Technology and Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), São Paulo 19060-900, Brazil
William Rodrigues Tebar: Center of Clinical and Epidemiological Research, University Hospital, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil
Gerson Ferrari: Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Providencia 7500912, Chile
Mariana Romanholi Palma: Physical Education Department, Graduate Program in Movement Sciences, School of Technology and Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), São Paulo 19060-900, Brazil
Cristina Elena Fregonesi: Physical Education Department, Graduate Program in Movement Sciences, School of Technology and Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), São Paulo 19060-900, Brazil
Daniela Tanajura Caldeira: Physical Education Department, Graduate Program in Movement Sciences, School of Technology and Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), São Paulo 19060-900, Brazil
Gabriela Caroline Rodrigues Silva: Physical Education Department, Graduate Program in Movement Sciences, School of Technology and Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), São Paulo 19060-900, Brazil
Luiz Carlos Marques Vanderlei: Physical Education Department, Graduate Program in Movement Sciences, School of Technology and Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), São Paulo 19060-900, Brazil
Victor Spiandor Beretta: Physical Education Department, Graduate Program in Movement Sciences, School of Technology and Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), São Paulo 19060-900, Brazil
Diego Giulliano Destro Christofaro: Physical Education Department, Graduate Program in Movement Sciences, School of Technology and Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), São Paulo 19060-900, Brazil

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 4, 1-10

Abstract: Although breast cancer treatments reduce mortality, their adverse effects can increase depression which impacts one’s quality of life (QoL). Physical activity (PA) seems to improve the QoL of breast cancer survivors (BCS). However, an unanswered question is the influence of PA on the QoL in BCS with depressive symptoms. Thus, we analyzed the influence of PA on the QoL in BCS with persistent depressive symptoms during 12 months of follow-up. The sample included 70 female BCS. Depression and QoL domains (i.e., functional capacity, physical limitations, body pain, general health status, vitality, social and emotional aspects, and mental health) were assessed at baseline and follow-up periods by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and SF-36, respectively. Habitual PA was assessed by Baecke’s questionnaire. Our results indicate a prevalence of 17.1% of depressive symptoms. Non-depressives BCS improved their physical limitations and general health status domains over time, but there were no observed differences in depressive BCS. BCS with persistent depressive symptoms (baseline and follow-up) showed worse QoL scores than non-depressives in all domains, regardless of confounding factors. When adjusted for PA, the difference between BCS depressives and non-depressives lost its significance in the functional capacity domain. In conclusion, habitual PA practice positively influenced the functional capacity domain of the QoL in BCS.

Keywords: depression; exercise; breast neoplasms; quality of life; mental health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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