SEXUALITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF PATIENTS WITH LYMPHOMA

Abstract

Introduction: The diagnosis of cancer and its different forms of therapeutic approaches, affects the psychological well-being and quality of life (QL), both patients and their families, especially partners. The physical, psychological and social factors associated with it can result in significant damage to sexual function, which is essential to the well-being and QL of people. Objectives: To assess the sexual performance of individuals with lymphoma, secondarily to evaluate the negative impact on QL. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study in Chemotherapy Center Hospital School of the Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro. For evaluation of individuals were used three questionnaires, which had as its objective to evaluate QL, sexual performance and conduct a socio-demographic characteristics. They were included in the sample for statistical analysis nine individuals who met the inclusion criteria; and a control group without a diagnosis of lymphoma composed of the same number of individuals. For comparison between groups was performed using the Mann-Whitney statistical test. Results: The final sample consisted of nine individuals in each group, noting that in relation to the QV group of individuals with lymphoma was significantly higher when compared to the group of subjects without lymphoma. When evaluated sexual performance group with lymphoma showed an unfavorable sexual performance to regulate, while the group without regular lymphoma to good. Conclusion: It was observed that the group with lymphoma showed higher scores on QL and lower scores when evaluated sexual performance. This study has limitations, therefore more studies are needed in this area seeking to consolidate variable associations such as assessed in the study with the well-being and QL of patients.