Prevalence of obesity in patients with breast cancer followed-up at an oncology service in Goiania

Abstract

Objective: To verify the prevalence of obesity in patients undergoing cancer follow-up at Hospital das Clínicas in Universidade Federal de Goiás, analyzing the epidemiological and laboratory profile. Methods: Retrospective, analytical and observational study. The final sample consisted of 498 medical records of patients under regular follow-up with indication for chemotherapy between June 2018 and 2020. Anthropometric data, gestational history, personal and family history, menopausal status, comorbidities, staging, and laboratory tests were observed. Results: A mean body mass index of 28.3 kg/m² was found among the patients, and 26.51% were obese. Mean age at diagnosis was 52.79 years, and 51.81% were in menopause. Also, 26.23% had a personal history of breast cancer, and 44.76% had family history. Regarding comorbidities, 51.15% had them, being the most frequent one systemic arterial hypertension, more prevalent in the obese group compared to the normal body mass index. Also, 11.96% of the patients were nulliparous. Regarding staging, most were in T2N0M0 at diagnosis. In laboratory tests, it was found that among patients with breast cancer who had information on lipid profile, low-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol were above the reference limit. Conclusion: 57.63% were obese or overweight, demonstrating body mass index as a risk factor for breast cancer. It was observed that the group of patients with obesity had a statistically significant relationship with the presence of concomitant comorbidities; however, no statistically significant results were found regarding the relationship between body mass index and menopausal status.