Chronic pain, functionality and quality of life in cancer survivors

2020 ◽  
pp. 204946372097273
Author(s):  
João Poço Gonçalves ◽  
Dalila Veiga ◽  
António Araújo
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Average Life ◽  
Average Life Span ◽  
Oncological Disease

The increasing number of cancer survivors associated to a longer average life-span after diagnosis of an oncological disease facilitates the observation of deleterious long-term effects of both oncological disease and its treatment. Among these effects, chronic pain emerges as one of the most prevalent and, with its onset, there is a decrease in these patients’ functionality and quality of life. The main focus in oncological disease treatment has been tumour eradication and average life expectancy extension after diagnosis, neglecting these deleterious long-term effects. This study aims at assessing the prevalence and characteristics of chronic pain in cancer survivors as well as pain interference in their quality of life and functionality. The study selected cancer survivors (n = 85) after dismissal from oncology service to assess the presence and characteristics of chronic pain, their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and pain-related disability through a combination of different questionnaires. Chronic pain prevalence was 23.5%. In total, 85% of patients reported neuropathic pain descriptors and 45% presented diagnostic criteria for neuropathic pain. Of these patients, 45% were followed-up for pain surveillance and 35% underwent analgesic medication. There was a median pain disability index of 20.50 (14.50–35.00) and an average HRQoL of 0.5338 in chronic pain patients and 0.8872 in patients without pain. We found that chronic pain was the main negative predictor of HRQoL and was associated with decreased functionality. This study also concluded that these patients often were not offered the appropriate long-term medical follow-up. These findings highlight a need to raise awareness among health professionals to the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment of pain and its impact on HRQoL and functionality of long-term cancer survivors as well as the need to change clinical practice in order to improve healthcare provided to these patients.

Long-term effects of cancer treatment and consequences of cure: Cancer survivors enjoy quality of life similar to their neighbours

1993 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 826-830 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles L.M. Olweny ◽  
Christopher A. Juttner ◽  
Peter Rofe ◽  
Graham Barrow ◽  
Adrian Esterman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Long Term Effects

Management issues in chronic pain following cancer therapy

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Chasen ◽  
Gordon Giddings
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Pain Control ◽  
Interdisciplinary Team ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Management Issues

With improved surveillance, diagnoses, and treatment of patients with cancer, an increased life expectancy, and specifically an increased number of ‘cancer cured’ patients, is noted. However, the long-term effects of the disease and treatment have a bearing on obtaining optimal physical, psychological, and cognitive functioning for cancer survivors. Pain impacts on all dimensions of quality of life and is one of the most distressing symptoms for patients. Patients often under-recognize pain and are unsure if optimum pain control is achievable. In addition, members of the interdisciplinary team often fail to assess the patient’s pain adequately, due to a lack of knowledge of the principles of pain relief and side effect management. Treatment requires an interprofessional approach that details a comprehensive assessment, with ongoing reassessment, utilizing both pharmacological and non-pharmacological measures. Empowerment of the cancer survivor, respect for survivors’ individuality and collaboration among team members are key elements of any successful strategy to optimize a patient’s quality of life.

scholarly journals Long-Term Effectiveness and Tolerability of Pain Treatment with Tapentadol Prolonged Release

2020 ◽  
Vol 1;24 (1;1) ◽  
pp. E75-E85
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Knee Pain ◽  
Prolonged Release ◽  
Low Back ◽  
State Of Health ◽  
Open Label

BACKGROUND: The central analgesic tapentadol prolonged release (PR) has proven effective and generally well tolerated in a broad range of chronic pain conditions. Long-term data of its use are still scarce. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate long-term effectiveness, tolerability, and safety of tapentadol PR in patients with severe chronic osteoarthritis (OA) knee pain or low back pain (LBP) who responded to tapentadol in 1 of 4 preceding 12-week phase 3b clinical trials. STUDY DESIGN: Open-label, uncontrolled, observational extension study of up to 72 weeks. SETTING: Fourteen centers in Spain. Protocol approval by the reference ethics committee for all the participating centers. METHODS: Eligible patients started the extension trial on the tapentadol PR dosage optimized for them in the preceding trial; dose adjustments were permitted throughout the extension. Treatment effectiveness outcomes included changes in pain intensity, sleep, state of health, quality of life, patient and clinician global impression of change, and patients’ satisfaction with treatment. Patients with OA knee pain also answered the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA index, and patients with LBP with a possible neuropathic pain component completed neuropathic pain-related questionnaires. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients were enrolled: 40 with OA knee pain, 43 with LBP. The full analysis set consisted of 81 patients. Mean pain intensity remained relatively stable over the 72-week extension period with mean increases from baseline of 0.44 (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.1,1.0; Numeric Rating Scale) for all patients, 0.2 (95% CI, -0.5, 0.9) for patients with OA, and 0.68 (95% CI, -0.2, 1.6) for patients with LBP. State of health and quality of life baseline ratings were maintained; overall impression of change was “improved.” Most patients (88.9%) reported at least good treatment satisfaction at the end of treatment. Mean daily tapentadol PR doses slightly increased from 313.3 ± 139.5 mg at baseline to 315.7 ± 140.1 mg at end of study. Uptitration was required for 8.4% of the patients, 4.8% had a dose reduction during the trial. Adverse events considered probably/likely or certainly related to tapentadol PR treatment by the investigator were documented for 18.1% of all patients, most commonly constipation (7.2%). Seven patients (8.4%) experienced adverse events leading to premature discontinuation. LIMITATIONS: An open-label design, stable concomitant analgesics (World Health Organization step I), and dose adjustments were allowed during the study. All patients had benefitted from tapentadol PR in preceding trials. CONCLUSIONS: Sustained pain relief and quality of life for up to 72 treatment weeks under relatively stable dosing, as well as the good safety profile, indicate the usefulness of tapentadol PR for patients who suffer from severe chronic OA knee pain and LBP with limited risk for tolerance development. KEY WORDS: Tapentadol prolonged release, extension study, long-term, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, low back pain, efficacy, safety

scholarly journals Long-term Impact of Adenotonsillectomy on the Quality of Life of Children with Sleep-disordered breathing

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Alves Sousa Caixeta ◽  
Jessica Caixeta Silva Sampaio ◽  
Vanessa Vaz Costa ◽  
Isadora Milhomem Bruno da Silveira ◽  
Carolina Ribeiro Fernandes de Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Obstructive Sleep Apnea ◽  
Sleep Apnea ◽  
Sleep Disordered Breathing ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Obstructive Sleep ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
Disordered Breathing

Abstract Introduction Adenotonsillectomy is the first-line treatment for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to adenotonsillar hypertrophy in children. The physical benefits of this surgery are well known as well as its impact on the quality of life (QoL), mainly according to short-term evaluations. However, the long-term effects of this surgery are still unclear. Objective To evaluate the long-term impact of adenotonsillectomy on the QoL of children with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Method This was a prospective non-controlled study. Children between 3 and 13 years of age with symptoms of SDB for whom adenotonsillectomy had been indicated were included. Children with comorbities were excluded. Quality of life was evaluated using the obstructive sleep apnea questionnaire (OSA-18), which was completed prior to, 10 days, 6 months, 12 months and, at least, 18 months after the procedure. For statistical analysis, p-values lower than 0.05 were defined as statistically significant. Results A total of 31 patients were enrolled in the study. The average age was 5.2 years, and 16 patients were male. The OSA-18 scores improved after the procedure in all domains, and this result was maintained until the last evaluation, done 22 ± 3 months after the procedure. Improvement in each domain was not superior to achieved in other domains. No correlation was found between tonsil or adenoid size and OSA-18 scores. Conclusion This is the largest prospective study that evaluated the long-term effects of the surgery on the QoL of children with SDB using the OSA-18. Our results show adenotonsillectomy has a positive impact in children's QoL.

scholarly journals Yoga therapy to reduce fatigue in cancer: effects of reminder e-mails and long-term efficacy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Zetzl ◽  
Andre Pittig ◽  
Agnes Renner ◽  
Birgitt van Oorschot ◽  
Elisabeth Jentschke
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Mediation Model ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Long Term Outcomes ◽  
Cognitive Fatigue ◽  
Yoga Therapy ◽  
Life Data

Abstract Objective To examine the efficacy of reminder e-mails to continue yoga therapy on practice frequency and fatigue in cancer patients and long-term effects of yoga on fatigue, depression, and quality of life. Methodology One hundred two cancer patients who completed an 8-week yoga therapy were randomly allocated to two groups: reminder (N = 51) vs. no-reminder group (N = 51). After completing yoga therapy, the reminder group received weekly e-mails for 24 weeks, which reminded them of practicing yoga, whereas the no-reminder group did not. Primary outcomes were fatigue and practice frequency, and long-term outcomes were fatigue, depression, and quality of life. Data were assessed using questionnaires after yoga therapy (T1) and 6 months after completing yoga therapy (T2). Result A significantly stronger reduction of general (p = 0.038, d = 0.42) and emotional fatigue (p = 0.004, d = 0.59) and a higher increase of practice frequency (p = 0.015, d = 0.52) between T1 and T2 were found for the reminder group compared to the no-reminder group. In the mediation model, practice frequency as a mediator partially explained the changes in emotional fatigue (indirect effect B =  − 0.10). Long-term effects of yoga therapy regarding fatigue, depression, and quality of life were found (F > 7.46, p < 0.001, d > 0.54). Conclusion Weekly reminder e-mails after yoga therapy can positively affect general and emotional fatigue and help cancer patients with fatigue establish a regular yoga practice at home. However, higher practice frequency did not lead to higher physical or cognitive fatigue improvement, suggesting other factors that mediate efficacy on physical or cognitive fatigue, such as mindfulness or side effects of therapy.

scholarly journals Buprenorphine: Far Beyond the “Ceiling”

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 816
Author(s):  
Rosmara Infantino ◽  
Consalvo Mattia ◽  
Pamela Locarini ◽  
Antonio Luigi Pastore ◽  
Sabatino Maione ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Drug Abuse ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
National Health System ◽  
Analgesic Drugs ◽  
Third Line ◽  
Dynamic Profile

Chronic pain, including neuropathic pain, represents an untreated disease with important repercussions on the quality of life and huge costs on the national health system. It is well known that opioids are the most powerful analgesic drugs, but they represent the second or third line in neuropathic pain, that remain difficult to manage. Moreover, these drugs show several side effects that limit their use. In addition, opioids possess addictive properties that are associated with misuse and drug abuse. Among available opioids compounds, buprenorphine has been suggested advantageous for a series of clinical reasons, including the effectiveness in neuropathic pain. Some properties are partly explained by its unique pharmacological characteristics. However, questions on the dynamic profile remain to be answered. Pharmacokinetics optimization strategies, and additional potentialities, are still to be explored. In this paper, we attempt to conceptualize the potential undiscovered dynamic profile of buprenorphine.

Quality of life in long-term childhood cancer survivors and the relation of late effects and subjective well-being

2004 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigrid Pemberger ◽  
Reinhold Jagsch ◽  
Eva Frey ◽  
Rosemarie Felder-Puig ◽  
Helmut Gadner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Late Effects ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Childhood Cancer Survivors ◽  
Subjective Well Being

Long-Term Effects of Doxazosin, Finasteride and Combination Therapy on Quality of Life in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

2013 ◽  
Vol 190 (1) ◽  
pp. 187-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chyng-Wen Fwu ◽  
Paul W. Eggers ◽  
Steven A. Kaplan ◽  
Ziya Kirkali ◽  
Jeannette Y. Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia ◽  
Combination Therapy ◽  
Prostatic Hyperplasia ◽  
Long Term Effects

Amalaki as a Rasayan in Geriatric Diseases

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (06) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naina Vishwakarma
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Life Span ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Natural Process ◽  
Healthy Ageing ◽  
Average Life ◽  
Average Life Span ◽  
Medical Facilities

Geriatric problems are arising much and more in the present Era. With the increase in average life-span due to medical facilities it resulted in large number of people with old age Worldwide. To overcome this Ayurved advocates healthy ageing through Rasayan Chikitsa. By proper administration of Rasayan Therapy as a preventive tool one can prevent Jarajanit(Geriatic) vyadhis. Many herbs and techniques which provide solution to ageing and their complications are described in Ayurved. The Herbs with their properties slows down the natural process of aging and help in managing geriatric problem and improving the quality of life. Here   Amalaki an Rasayan Dravya in Geriatric diseases is brought in focus.

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