Medical, social, and personal factors as correlates of quality of life among older cancer patients with permanent stoma

Abstract Background Older advanced stage cancer patients, with changes in metabolic and nutritional status, represent an important demand for palliative care. The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of 4 weeks of chocolate consumption on the nutritional status, quality of life, body composition, oxidative stress and inflammaory activity of older cancer patients in palliative care. Methods Older cancer patients in palliative care with ambulatory monitoring were randomized to the following groups: control (CG, n = 15), intervention with 55% cocoa chocolate (IG1, n = 16) and intervention with white chocolate (IG2, n = 15) groups and evaluated before and after 4 weeks of treatment for nutritional status, food consumption, anthropometry, body composition, and laboratory parameters, and quality of life using the instrument of the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer. Results IG1 progressed with increased screening (p < 0.01) and nutritional (p = 0.04) scores on the Mini Nutritional Assessment tool. Anthropometry and body composition did not change. Regarding antioxidant capacity, reduced glutathione levels increased in IG2 (p = 0.04) and were higher than in IG1 (p < 0.01). Malondealdehyde levels were reduced in IG2 (p = 0.02) at the end of the study. Regarding quality of life, functionality improved in IG1, with a higher score in the functional domain (p = 0.03), and in the role functioning (p < 0.01) and in the social (p < 0.01) subdomains. Conclusions The consumption of chocolate with a greater cocoa content may contribute to the improvement of nutritional status and functionality among older cancer patients in palliative care. The consumption of white chocolate was associated with improved oxidative stress. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04367493 - April 29, 2020. Retrospectively registered.

Download Full-text

Association of falls with health related quality of life (HRQOL) in older cancer patients: A population based longitudinal study.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2015.33.15_suppl.e20524 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 33 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. e20524-e20524 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Allison Magnuson ◽

Chintan Pandya ◽

William Dale ◽

Lisa Lowenstein ◽

Chunkit Fung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Population Based ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

Older Cancer Patients

Download Full-text

Life expectancy, comorbidity and quality of life: the treatment equation in the older cancer patients

Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology ◽

10.1016/s1040-8428(00)00104-9 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 147-152 ◽

Cited By ~ 67

Author(s):

L. Repetto ◽

D. Comandini ◽

S. Mammoliti

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Life Expectancy ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Older Cancer Patients

Download Full-text

Palliative care needs: Symptom reporting during geriatric oncology evaluation.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2014.32.31_suppl.184 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 32 (31_suppl) ◽

pp. 184-184

Author(s):

Marie Anne Flannery ◽

Chintan Pandya ◽

Mohamedtaki Abdulaziz Tejani ◽

Charles Stewart Kamen ◽

Allison Magnuson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Palliative Care ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Geriatric Oncology ◽

Older Individuals ◽

Symptom Experience ◽

Care Needs ◽

Older Cancer Patients ◽

Palliative Care Needs

184 Background: Although extensive descriptive work has been conducted on the symptom experience in cancer, relatively little is known about the specific palliative care needs for geriatric oncology populations. When all age groups are studied older individuals report less symptoms and the symptom experience of older cancer patients is minimized. Utilizing data collected from two geriatric oncology referral clinics the primary aim of this study was to identify geriatric oncology patients’ symptom reports, the number of symptoms experienced, and interference reported from symptoms. Methods: Patients referred to a geriatric oncology consult clinic were asked to complete the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI) total of 13 items. In addition all patients underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment with a battery of tests. Results: 192 patients completed the symptom inventory with a median age of 81 years (range 65-95). 94% of patients reported at least one symptom, >45% reported experiencing 10 of the 13 symptoms (mean number of symptoms =5.7, SD= 3.7). Most frequently reported symptoms were in order: drowsiness, trouble remembering, dry mouth, disturbed sleep, pain, distress, decreased appetitive, dyspnea, and sadness. Severity ratings for individual symptoms M’s= 0.3-2.5, although the complete range of 0-10 was reported. 67% of patients reported that symptoms were interfering with their quality of life, general activity level and walking ability. Conclusions: In contrast to the myth that older cancer patients have minimal symptoms, at time of referral to a geriatric oncology consultation patients report on average experiencing six symptoms which interfere with their quality of life. There is an intersection between geriatric oncology and palliative care and these descriptive findings highlight the importance of systematic symptom assessment for older individuals with cancer to identify needed symptom relief strategies.

Download Full-text