ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To analyze the factors associated with the presence of depression symptoms in women after breast cancer. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 181 women with breast cancer, aged 57.0 years (SD = 9.5), who were undergoing treatment or after treatment in the Oncology Research Center in Florianópolis, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The questionnaire comprised items addressing general and health information, economic level, anthropometric measures, depression symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory), self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), and body image (Body Image After Breast Cancer Questionnaire). Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were performed by chi-square and Fisher's exact tests to verify association, Mann-Whitney U test to compare the groups and Poisson regression to identify the prevalence ratio of the factors associated with presence of depression symptoms (p < 0.05). RESULTS: We found an association between the presence of depression symptoms and the group of younger women (aged 40–60 years), those who had another disease besides cancer, those who had mastectomy surgery, those who suffered from lymphedema, and those who presented low–medium self-esteem. Less educated women presented more depressive symptoms, as did women with worse body image on the subscales of limitations, transparency, and arm concerns. CONCLUSIONS: Age, educational attainment, diagnosis of other diseases, type of surgery, lymphedema, self-esteem, and body image were factors associated with the presence of depression symptoms in Brazilian women after breast cancer. Health professionals should be aware of these relationships and try to detect depression symptoms earlier and improve the care they provide to these women.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To analyze the factors associated with the presence of depression symptoms in women after breast cancer. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 181 women with breast cancer, aged 57.0 years (SD = 9.5), who were undergoing treatment or after treatment in the Oncology Research Center in Florianópolis, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The questionnaire comprised items addressing general and health information, economic level, anthropometric measures, depression symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory), self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), and body image (Body Image After Breast Cancer Questionnaire). Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were performed by chi-square and Fisher's exact tests to verify association, Mann-Whitney U test to compare the groups and Poisson regression to identify the prevalence ratio of the factors associated with presence of depression symptoms (p < 0.05). RESULTS: We found an association between the presence of depression symptoms and the group of younger women (aged 40–60 years), those who had another disease besides cancer, those who had mastectomy surgery, those who suffered from lymphedema, and those who presented low–medium self-esteem. Less educated women presented more depressive symptoms, as did women with worse body image on the subscales of limitations, transparency, and arm concerns. CONCLUSIONS: Age, educational attainment, diagnosis of other diseases, type of surgery, lymphedema, self-esteem, and body image were factors associated with the presence of depression symptoms in Brazilian women after breast cancer. Health professionals should be aware of these relationships and try to detect depression symptoms earlier and improve the care they provide to these women.

Este estudo tem como objetivo comparar as capacidades físicas de idosos praticantes de atividade física de acordo com a preocupação com a possibilidade de cair. Participaram do estudo 144 idosos praticantes de atividade física, divididos em dois grupos com e sem medo de cair. A preocupação com a possibilidade de cair foi avaliada pela escala Falls Efficacy Scale - International (FES-I-BRASIL) e as capacidades físicas (força, flexibilidade, resistência aeróbica e mobilidade física) pela bateria de teste motor Senior Fitness Test. Para comparação entre os grupos utilizou-se o teste UMann Whitney. Diferença significativa entre os grupos, quanto à preocupação com a possibilidade de cair, apareceu em 15 dos 16 itens avaliados das escala FES-I-BRASIL. Em relação às capacidades físicas, diferenças significativas foram encontradas nas variáveis: força (membros inferiores e superiores), mobilidade física e resistência aeróbica. Mesmo em idosos ativos uma melhor capacidade física parece ser fator determinante em relação ao medo de cair.

The goal of this study is to compare the physical capacities of sênior practitioners of physical activity accordingly with the preoccupation about the possibility of falling down. 144 seniors, practitioners of physical activity, have participated of this study, divided in two groups with and without fear of falling down. The preoccupation with the fear of falling down was assessed through Falls Efficacy Scale - International (FES-I-BRASIL) and the physical capacities (strength, flexibility, aerobic resistance and physical mobility) through the battery of motor test Senior Fitness Test. For the comparison between the two groups the U Mann Whitney test was used. Significant difference between the groups, about the concern of the possibility to falling down, appeared in 15 of the 16 items assessed through the scale FES-I-BRASIL. About the physical capacities, significant differences were found in the variables: strength (inferior and superior members), physical mobility and aerobic resistance. Eve non active seniors a better physical capacity seem stobe a determinant factor regarding the fear of falling.