Ocorrência de reações adversas associadas ao uso de antineoplasicos por via oral: possíveis orientações de enfermagem

Abstract

Oral administration of antineoplastic drugs for the treatment of oncological diseases brings many advantages to patients. However, adherence to the therapeutic protocol is one of the main barriers, since it requires a routine of drug administration and is associated with the occurrence of adverse effects. Thus, this research aims to evaluate the adherence of patients to oral antineoplastic treatments, identifying the main adverse effects reported by users. The methodology adopted for the execution of the study is quantitative, descriptive. The data collection tool was a structured questionnaire answered by patients in outpatient follow-up at public hospital, in the city of Erechim, state of Rio Grande do Sul, carried out from December 2022 to January 2023. Adherence to treatment with oral antineoplastics was evaluated using the Morisky-Green Test, it was possible to identify that 23.8% of respondents did not adhere to treatment at times, omitting doses or interrupting treatment when they considered themselves clinically worse and 76.2% showed adherence to treatment. Regarding the occurrence of adverse reactions, the most frequently reported were: fatigue (81%), arthralgia (76.2%), hot flushes (71.4%), edema (42.9%), weight gain (33.3%), hyperpigmentation of the skin (28.6%), alopecia (23.8%), constipation (19%), rashes (14%) (14.3%), nausea (14.3%), diarrhea (9.5%), anemia (9.5%), oral mucositis (9.5%), weight loss and scleroderma (4.8%). These complaints, associated with the use of oral antineoplastic drugs, cause great impact on treatment adherence and quality of life of patients, since they can affect the physical, emotional and social state. Despite the high incidence of these symptoms, some patients reported lack of guidance by the nursing team, especially regarding preventive care related to adverse effects arising from the use of antitumor drugs. Thus, the study suggests that it is necessary a more incisive and permanent orientation, by the nursing and pharmaceutical team, in order to follow the protocol correctly. There is no doubt, then, that the nursing team plays a key role in the prevention of symptoms and in the care of cancer patients undergoing antineoplastic oral treatment, interventions about prevention and the necessary care in the face of adverse events.