Percorrer por autor "Almeida, Ana Maria"
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- Sexual dysfunction and quality of life in prostate cancer.Publication . Teixeira, Joana; Couto, Germano; Prata, Ana Paula; Almeida, Ana MariaProstate cancer causes changes, such as erectile dysfunction, with a significant impact on the perception of quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study is to identify changes in perception of QoL related to erectile dysfunction over time. A descriptive, analytical and longitudinal study was conducted with the participation of oncological patients from the ambulatory urology department of an oncology hospital unit of the North of Portugal. The sample, obtained through convenience non-probabilistic sampling between October 2015 and July 2016, included 60 patients. The instrument used for data collection was IIEF-5 (International Index of Erectile Function-5) that evaluates the severity degree of erectile dysfunction (ED). Sexual function did not present clinical or statistical differences along the studied period. Cultural issues related to privacy preservation may justify our sexual function scores. Early identification of QoL changes may guide nurses to patient-centered care.
- Understanding quality of life's challenges in sarcoma patients: A mixed-methods studyPublication . Almeida, Ana Maria; Lima, Ligia; Martins, TeresaPurpose: Sarcoma, a highly aggressive form of cancer, profoundly affects patients both physically and psychologically. This study aimed to assess sarcoma patients' health-related quality of life and explore their experiences of living with the disease and their specific care requirements. Methods: This research employed a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. Fifty-two sarcoma patients completed the European Portuguese version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire, and seven of them participated in semi-structured interviews. Descriptive measures, Cronbach alpha for internal consistency, t-teste-Anova and stepwise regression were employed in the quantitative analysis. Qualitative data was analysed thematically. Results: The most affected Quality of life (QoL) dimensions were role functioning and global health, areas of functioning that were also described as impacted in patients' experiences. Symptoms like insomnia, pain, and fatigue were frequently reported. Symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and financial difficulty explain QoL variance. No significant differences in QoL were found according to the different forms of treatment. Analysis of the interviews revealed three overarching themes: (1) disruption of daily life, (2) adaptation to life with sarcoma, and (3) the demand for more personalized care, allowing to gain a deeper understanding of living with sarcoma. Conclusion: The results underscore the significance of delivering care that enhances the quality of life for sarcoma patients, addressing both their physical and psychosocial needs, and providing personalized support throughout all stages of the disease. Keywords: Health related quality of life; Mixed methods; Oncology; Sarcoma; Symptoms.