IMPLICAÇÕES DO CÂNCER DE TIREÓIDE NA QUALIDADE DE VIDA DE INDIVÍDUOS QUE FAZEM TRATAMENTO COM IODO-131 E SEUS FAMILIARES

Abstract

This study has the goal to evaluate the quality of life of patients and companions who are treated with Iodine-131, in other words radiotherapy. In order to identify and associate the main factors that affect quality of life for both patients and the companion during the treatment. The study population consisted of 56 individuals, among them 32 are carriers of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer and 24 companions of the patients are among the companions are: children, spouse (a), other relatives and friends. Were administered two questionnaires, the first refers to the sociodemographic and lifestyle variables, and the second by the specific instrument of the World Health Organization (WHO) to assess quality of life, called WHOQOL-bref. The study was conducted at the Centro Brasileiro de Medicina Nuclear e Imagem Molecular em Goiânia-Go, in the period September to December 2010. It was used two methodological approaches: a quantitative relationship to the organization of the questionnaire results in percentage form represented in tables, and other qualitative study using Grounded Theory for interpreting the reports of caregivers and patients before and after hospitalization in the therapeutic room. From the participants' reports, of the results of questionnaires that were applied and understandings that were built during the research, using Grounded Theory, it was identified the major categories that affect the quality of life of both patients and their carers. The main categories found were: adverse elements in the context of treatment, emotional impact of diagnosis and treatment, problems of coping and coping factors that favor. Furthermore, both patients and companions presented suggestions during treatment that in their opinion would improve the quality of life. The quantitative analysis revealed that most patients and caregivers are satisfied with the quality of life. The results are discussed with the intention of better understanding the perspective of the patient and companion on the factors that may help to improve the quality of life, in order to mitigate the problems that appeared during treatment.