scholarly journals 320P Psychometric interplay of the perception of the real-life impact of COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey of patients with newly diagnosed malignancies

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. S1366-S1367
Author(s):  
K. Bao ◽  
K.M. Cheung ◽  
J.C.H. Chow ◽  
T.Y.M. Tsui ◽  
A. Lau ◽  
...  
2020 ◽  
pp. 205141582094663
Author(s):  
Patrick Jones ◽  
Hector Sandoval Barba ◽  
Mark I Johnson ◽  
Naeem Soomro ◽  
Wendy Robson ◽  
...  

Introduction: Post-radical prostatectomy erectile dysfunction (post-RPED) is a common and potentially devastating complication. The role of PDE5-inhibitors (PDE5-Is) in post-RPED is controversial and invasive pharmacological treatments are associated with poor long-term compliance. Vacuum erection devices (VEDs) are a non-pharmacological alternative. Little data regarding VED efficacy and associated patient satisfaction in post-RPED exists. This study aimed to investigate the outcomes of VED therapy in a post-robot assisted radical prostatectomy (post-RARP) population. Methods: All men who underwent RARP at a single centre between February 2015 and October 2017 attended a nurse-led holistic-needs-assessment (HNA) appointment at 10 weeks post-RARP. All men identifying ED as a concern at HNA were offered dedicated nurse-led post-RPED clinic and VED clinic appointments. A cross-sectional survey of patient reported outcomes in these men was performed. Results: In total 137/539 (25%) men reported ED as a concern at HNA. All 137 men attended the VED clinic, 124/137 (90%) responded to the survey. Commonest reason for choosing VED therapy was for combined psychological, penetration and lengthening purposes (48%). Median time from RARP to VED clinic and from VED clinic to survey was 122 days (range 56–595) and 462 days (range 66–932) respectively. At survey 88/124(70.9%) reported continued use of VED, 69/88 (78%) of this group perceived VED treatment to be successful. Of those who had stopped using VED, 7/36 (19%) felt it had been successful. Key reasons for discontinuation were either because men felt it ineffective (13/36 (37%)) or disliked the device (10/36 (29%)). Conclusion: VED therapy is an effective treatment for men with post-RARP ED that is well tolerated with good short- to medium-term compliance. Up to two-thirds of men may find overall satisfaction with their post-RPED after VED therapy. Level of Evidence: 3


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 617.1-617
Author(s):  
H. Wohland ◽  
N. Leuchten ◽  
M. Aringer

Background:Fatigue is among the top complaints of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but only in part associated with SLE disease activity. Physical activity can help to reduce fatigue and should therefore be recommended to SLE patients. Vice versa, fatigue may arguably lead to reduced physical activity.Objectives:To investigate the extent of physical activity and the perception of fatigue and sleep quality in patients with SLE.Methods:Starting in February 2019, SLE patients were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey study of fatigue and physical exercise during their routine outpatient clinic visits. Participants filled out a ten-page paper questionnaire focused on physical activity. To evaluate fatigue, we primarily used a 10 cm visual analogue scale (0-100 mm, with 100 meaning most fatigued), but also the FACIT fatigue score (range 0-52). Sleep quality was estimated using grades from 1 (excellent) to 6 (extremely poor).Results:93 SLE patients took part in the study. All patients fulfilled the European League Against Rheumatism/ American College of Rheumatology (EULAR/ACR) 2019 classification criteria for SLE. 91% of the patients were female. Their mean (SD) age was 45.5 (14.3) years and their mean disease duration 12.1 (9.4) years. The mean BMI was 25.2 (5.6). Of all patients, 7.5% had a diagnosis of (secondary) fibromyalgia. The mean fatigue VAS was 32 (27) mm and the mean FACIT fatigue score 35.7 (10.3). As expected, fatigue by VAS and FACIT was correlated (Spearman r=-0.61, p<0.0001). The mean SLEDAI was 1 (1) with a range of 0 to 6. Median glucocorticoid doses were 2 mg prednisolone equivalent, with a range from 0 to 10 mg.Out of 66 patients in payed jobs, 64 (97%) reported details on their working space. One person (2%) worked in a predominanty standing position, 37 (58%) worked in essentially sedentary jobs and 26 (40%) were in positions where they were mildly physically active in part. The mean fatigue VAS was 31 (24) mm for patients with partly active jobs and 27 (30) mm for those in sedentary jobs. Sleep was graded 2.9 (0.9) by those with active and 3.1 (1.3) by those with sedentary jobs.Half of the patients (51%) reported more than one physical recreational activity. 44 (47%) were walking and for five persons (5%) this was the only form of activity. Cycling was reported by 19 patients (20%), 18 of whom also practiced other activities. For transport, 52 (56%) in part chose active modes, such as walking and cycling. Patients who reported any of the above activities showed a mean fatigue VAS of 28 (25) mm, compared to 36 (28) mm in the patient group without a reported activity. Sleep quality was very similar: 3.1 (1.2) and 3.2 (1.1) for more active and more passive patients, respectively.65 (70%) patients regularly practiced sports. Of these, 39 (60%) practiced one kind of sport, 15 (23%) two, 7 (11%) three, and 2 (3%) each four and five kinds of sports. Fatigue VAS of patients practicing sports was 27 (25) mm versus 43 (28) in those who did not (p=0.0075). Sleep quality was 2.9 (1.1) in the sports cohort and 3.5 (1.1) in the no-sports cohort (p=0.0244).Conclusion:A majority of SLE patients in remission or low to moderate disease activity regularly practiced sports, and those doing so reported lesser fatigue and better sleep quality. The absolute values on the fatigue VAS were in a moderate range that made fatigue as the main cause of not performing sports rather unlikely for most patients.Disclosure of Interests:Helena Wohland: None declared, Nicolai Leuchten Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Janssen, Novartis, Roche, UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Janssen, Novartis, Roche, Martin Aringer Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Astra Zeneca, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chugai, Gilead, GSK, HEXAL, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Astra Zeneca, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, GSK, Lilly, MSD, Roche, Sanofi, UCB


Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 282
Author(s):  
Darya Urupina ◽  
Manolis N. Romanias ◽  
Frederic Thevenet

The experimental investigation of heterogeneous atmospheric processes involving mineral aerosols is extensively performed in the literature using proxy materials. In this work we questioned the validity of using proxies such as Fe2O3, FeOOH, Al2O3, MgO, CaO, TiO2, MnO2, SiO2, and CaCO3 to represent the behavior of complex mixtures of minerals, such as natural desert and volcanic dusts. Five volcanic dusts and three desert dusts were compared to a number of metal oxides, commonly used in the literature to mimic the behavior of desert dusts in the ability to form sulfites and sulfates on the surface exposed to SO2 gas. First, all samples were aged at room temperature, atmospheric pressure, under controlled experimental conditions of 175 ppm SO2 for 1 h under 30% of relative humidity. Second, they were extracted with 1% formalin and analyzed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to quantify and compare the amount of sulfites and sulfates formed on their surfaces. It was evidenced that under the experimental conditions of this study neither one selected pure oxide nor a mixture of oxides can adequately typify the behavior of complex mixtures of natural minerals. Therefore, to evaluate the real-life impact of natural dust on atmospheric processes it is of vital importance to work directly with the natural samples, both to observe the real effects of desert and volcanic dusts and to evaluate the relevancy of proposed proxies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mezna A. AlMarzooqi

Background: Social media became an integral part of the lives of people because it encourages social relations and shares interests, activities, and real-life connections. As quarantine and lockdown orders are prolonged, many people, as well as those physically active individuals, typically responded to this stressful condition by using social media platforms.Objective: This study aimed to examine the level of physical activity of physically active individuals and their attitudes toward social media use during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among physically active individuals in Saudi Arabia between June 2020 and July 2020. An online survey was employed among eligible participants who completed a self-administered questionnaire that covered reasons for physical activity and attitudes toward social media platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic.Results: Of these 323 participants, 29.1% were in the age group of 18–24 years, 66.6% were women, and 67.8% were single. The proportion of participants whose metabolic equivalent of tasks-min/week from vigorous activity &lt;1,680 was 31.9%, and all of the participants follow people or pages in social media related to sports teams and fitness models. The average number of hours spent on social media per day was 2.95 ± 0.90 h. The majority of the participants showed positive attitudes toward social media used for exercise and physical activity. Of the eight variables, age, level of physical activity, and the average of hours spent on social media emerged as significant predictors of attitudes toward the use of social media (P &lt; 0.05).Conclusions: The present survey results indicate adverse consequences of home quarantine as reflected by a small proportion of participants who had differences in levels of vigorous activities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. Social media appears to be a key avenue to promote and disseminate health interventions to promote physical activity during this COVID-19 pandemic.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pier Riccardo Rossi ◽  
Sarah E. Hegarty ◽  
Vittorio Maio ◽  
Marco Lombardi ◽  
Andrea Pizzini ◽  
...  

Deprescribing is a patient-centered process of medication withdrawal intended to achieve improved health outcomes through discontinuation of one or more medications that are either potentially harmful or no longer required. The objective of this study was to assess the perceptions of primary care physicians on deprescribing and potential barriers to deprescribing in the Local Health Authority (LHA) of Turin, Piedmont, Italy. Secondary objective was to evaluate educational needs of primary care physician. Cross sectional survey of primary care physicians working in the LHA of Turin, Piedmont, Italy. 439 GPs (71.3% of the total number of primary care physicians) attended an educational session related to deprescribing and were asked to anonymously answer a paper survey. Participants were asked to complete a previously published questionnaire about deprescribing and potential factors affecting the deprescribing process. A correlation coefficient was calculated to assess the association between physicians’ confidence in deprescribing and attitudes or barriers associated with deprescribing. Many GPs (71%) reported general confidence in their ability to deprescribe. Most respondents (83%) reported they were comfortable deprescribing preventive medications, however almost half expressed doubts regarding deprescribing when medication was initially prescribed by a colleague (45%) or when patient and/or caregiver supported the opportunity to continue the assumption (49%). Around a third of doctors maintain that the absence of strong evidence supporting deprescribing prevents them from considering it (38%), that they do not have the necessary time to effectively go through the process of deprescribing (29%), and that fear of possible effects due on withdrawal prevents them from deprescribing (31%). There was no strong correlation between physicians’ confidence and attitudes or barriers associated with deprescribing. The present study confirms that general practitioners sense the importance of deprescribing and feel prepared to face it managing communication with patients and caregivers, but find barriers when enacting the practice in a real-life context.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii73-iii73
Author(s):  
A Z Fu ◽  
J P Hall ◽  
A Bailey ◽  
J Kemp ◽  
G J Thompson ◽  
...  

Abstract INTRODUCTION This study evaluated the relationship of MGMT status with first-line (1L) treatment outcomes of patients with newly-diagnosed GBM in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK (EU5), and Canada. MATERIALS AND METHODS Medical oncologists and neuro-oncologists across EU5 and Canada completed a point in time, cross-sectional survey for the next 8 GBM patients seen between May and July 2016 within EU5 and Canada. All results apart from time to progression (TTP) were presented for patients receiving 1L active drug treatment. TTP was calculated from initiation of 1L treatment to initiation of second-line treatment. Results presented are statistically significant (p<0.05) unless otherwise specified. Bases vary depending on data availability. RESULTS A total of 241 physicians reported on 1747 patients with GBM. 875 were receiving 1L active drug treatment at time of survey. Mean age was 59.7 years (median=61) and 34.6% were women. Mean life expectancy was 14.9 months (median=12) at diagnosis and mean TTP was 8.5 months (median=7.3). Surgery was performed in 62% of patients (n=546) prior to 1L drug treatment; 38% of patients (n=329) had no surgery. Patients with surgery had a higher life expectancy at diagnosis vs patients with no surgery prior to 1L (mean=16.4 vs 12.2 months; median=15.0 vs 12.0). Patients who received corticosteroids (n=524) vs no corticosteroids during radiotherapy (n=64) had a shorter life expectancy at diagnosis (mean=15.0 vs 16.8 months, p=0.07; median=12.5 vs 13.9) and were more likely to have 8 or more inpatient days due to GBM (21% vs 8%, p=0.07) in the last 3 months prior to the survey. 62% of patients (n=541) had an MGMT-status recorded (tested: methylated or unmethylated), and 38% (n=334) were untested/ awaiting results (untested) at 1L. MGMT-tested patients had better life expectancy at diagnosis (mean=16.1 vs 12.9 months; median=15.0 vs 12.0) and longer TTP (mean=8.9 vs 7.8 months; median=7.8 vs 6.4) than untested patients. Among MGMT-tested patients, 58% were methylated and 42% were unmethylated. Methylated patients had similar life expectancy at diagnosis (mean=15.9 vs 16.3 months, p=0.85; median=15.0 vs 15.0) and TTP (mean=9.0 vs 8.8 months, p=0.42; median=8.0 vs 7.5) as unmethylated patients. CONCLUSIONS This analysis provides valuable insights into the 1L treatment outcomes of GBM patients in EU5 and Canada. Patients who did not undergo surgery had worse treatment outcomes. Steroid use appears to be associated with worse outcomes and higher healthcare resource utilization. Patient treatment outcomes varied depending on whether they are MGMT tested.


2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9047-9047
Author(s):  
J. A. Heath ◽  
C. J. Stern

9047 Background: Over the past two decades, rapid advances have occurred in both the successful treatment of childhood cancers and reproductive medicine. We sought to establish the current level of clinical practice for sperm, oocyte and gonadal tissue collection and storage in children newly diagnosed with cancer in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). Methods: A cross-sectional survey of all pediatric oncology services in ANZ was performed. Comparisons to recently published North American practices and to current recommendations for best practice were also made. Results: Of the 13 centers invited to participate, 12 (92%) completed the survey. All centers had offered sperm conservation, but only ten (83%) had offered oocyte/ovarian tissue conservation. Available methods of gamete collection and storage were not consistent. Two centers were using GnRH agonists as fertility protection in post-pubertal females. Forty-two per cent had offered fertility conservation to males and females prior to completion of sexual development. All centers were more likely to offer sperm conservation than oocyte conservation for any given disease. The most common diseases for which conservation was offered were lymphomas and sarcomas. The anticipated cumulative dose at which centers elected to offer fertility preservation varied widely, both for the alkylator cyclophosphamide (1g/m2 to 10g/m2) and for abdominal/pelvic irradiation (any to 12 Gy) and spinal irradiation (any to 18Gy). Fertility counseling was offered in a variety of settings by 82% of centers. Despite 92% of centers agreeing that fertility preservation guidelines would be helpful, only two (17%) had any in place. Overall, there was greater uptake and consistency of utilization of fertility services in ANZ when compared with published North American data. Conclusions: There are inconsistencies regarding the indications for and methods of gamete conservation in pediatric oncology centers throughout ANZ. Unresolved medical, legal and ethical issues suggest the development of guidelines and a voluntary code of practice would be helpful. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


Dementia ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 147130122110412
Author(s):  
Clara Scher ◽  
Sophie Crawley ◽  
Claudia Cooper ◽  
Elizabeth L Sampson ◽  
Kirsten J Moore

Aim Many carers of individuals with dementia experience high levels of grief before and after the death of the person with dementia. This study aimed to determine the usefulness, acceptability, and relevance of an animation developed to raise awareness to grief experienced by carers of people with dementia. Methods This research had a cross-sectional survey design. We contacted carers of people with dementia over the phone or email. Participants evaluated the animation through an online or paper-based survey. We used descriptive statistics and analysed qualitative data using thematic analysis. We required a sample of 40 carers to adequately power the study with a target of 75% of carers finding the animation useful, acceptable, and relevant. Results 31/78 carers approached evaluated the animation. Ninety-four percent of participants found the animation relevant to their situation, meeting our target. However, we fell short of this target for usefulness (68%) and acceptability (73%). The qualitative responses suggested that participants felt the animation could help improve the understanding of grief among carers, family, friends, and healthcare professionals. Carers also shared that the animation would be most useful for carers of newly diagnosed people with dementia. Conclusion Most carers of people with dementia in this study reported that the animation was useful, acceptable, and relevant. Dissemination of the resource may be useful for the majority of carers, with the caveat that a few carers may find it distressing and need to be referred for further support.


Author(s):  
Manoj B. Chopda ◽  
Sunil G. Gadkar ◽  
Yashwanth A. L. ◽  
Ravi Kumar L. ◽  
Dhammadeep C. Dabhade ◽  
...  

Background: Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are amongst the most preferred class of antihypertensive as reported at various evidences or guidelines. However, choice amongst ARBs differs between practicing physicians in real-life scenario. This survey aimed to understand the usage preferences of telmisartan therapy alone and in combination for treating hypertension (HT) among practitioners at various clinical settings in real-life scenario in India.Methods: A cross‑sectional survey was conducted with a pre-validated survey questionnaire consisting of 15 questions pertaining to the telmisartan and its combination usage in HT management. Total 498 registered medical practitioners (mostly physicians and cardiologists) had participated in survey. They were approached for seeking their perception, opinions, and prescribing behaviour. Categorical data was summarized by number (n) and percentage (%) in each category. Data were summarised in frequency tables.Results: Key findings from the data analysed were as follows: Around 20-40% of patients been reported to have co-morbid hypertension and diabetes as reported by the majority of the physicians. Preferred class of drug in patients with hypertension with diabetes reported to be ARB. Around 90.36% of doctors reported that telmisartan was the most preferred ARB in patients with hypertension associated with high cardiovascular risk. Around 90.76% of doctors reported for their preference for telmisartan in patients with hypertension for 24-hr BP control. Around 82.93% of doctors preferred telmisartan in patients with hypertension and stroke/post-MI status.Conclusions: Indian healthcare practitioners prefer telmisartan as the most preferred ARB either alone or in a combination in patients with hypertension, including those with comorbidities.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document