Disparities in quality-of-life outcomes in immigrant cancer patients.

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e16507-e16507
Author(s):  
David Goldstein ◽  
Ming Sze ◽  
Melanie Bell ◽  
Madeleine King ◽  
Michael Jefford ◽  
...  

e16507 Background: Immigration is increasing world-wide. We explored disparities in quality of life outcomes for immigrant (IM) versus Anglo-Australian (AA) cancer patients having anti-cancer treatment. Methods: In a cross-sectional design, cancer patients were recruited through outpatient Oncology clinics in New South Wales, Victoria, and the Northern Territory in Australia. IM participants, their parents and grand parents were born in a country where Chinese, Greek, or Arabic is spoken and spoke one of those languages. AAs were born in Australia and spoke English. All were diagnosed with cancer < 1 year previously. Questionnaires (completed in preferred language) included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (anxiety/depression), FACT-G (quality of life) and the Supportive Care Needs Survey (unmet needs). Adjusted regression models comparing AA and IM groups included age, gender, socio-economic status, education, marital status, religion, time since diagnosis, and cancer type (colorectal, breast, lung, other). Results: There were 910 participants (response rate 57%). IM were similar to AA, except that IM were more likely to be married (76 vs 67 %, p = 0.01) and in the low and the highly educated groups (p < 0.0001). In adjusted analyses, IMs had clinically significant higher anxiety, greater unmet information and physical needs and lower quality of life than AAs (see table). The possible ranges are 0-21 for anxiety and depression, and 0-100 otherwise. Conclusions: In this hospital-based study with a high rate of advanced disease, immigrants with cancer experienced poorer quality of life outcomes, even after adjusting for socio-economic, demographic, and disease variables. Interventions are required to improve their experience of cancer care. Results highlight areas of unmet need that might be better addressed by the health system (particularly with regards to provision of information and meeting support and physical needs). [Table: see text]

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e11511-e11511
Author(s):  
Rao M. Raghavendra ◽  
Kodaganur Srinivasachar Gopinath ◽  
B S Srinath ◽  
Shekhar Patil ◽  
P Shashidhara ◽  
...  

e11511 Background: Adherence plays an important role in success of mind body interventions such as yoga. In this study we evaluated the effects of adherence to yoga intervention on psychological and quality of life outcomes. Methods: Adherence to yoga program was assessed in a randomized controlled trial comparing yoga (n=45) vs. supportive therapy in breast cancer patients with stage II and III disease undergoing primary surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Subjects were assessed for self reported symptoms and affective states using symptom checklist, Spielberger’s State Trait Anxiety, Becks Depression Inventory and Functional Living Index in cancer for Quality of life following surgery and during radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Adherence was categorized based on number of sessions of yoga practiced at home per week [regular (>5 sessions), not so regular (3-5 sessions), occasionally (upto 2 sessions)].Multiple hierarchical regression analysis was used to examine the variance in the above outcomes explained by independent prognostic variables (age group, clinical stage of cancer, type of surgery, respective baseline psychological outcomes and regularity of practice) in yoga group alone. Model B includes these four variables plus regularity of practice. Results: Regularity of practice emerged as a secondary predictor for symptom severity following surgery (β= 0.38, p=0.007) and primary predictor for depression (β= 0.37, p=0.05) and severity of symptoms (β= 0.42, p=0.04) during radiotherapy and depression(β= 0.35, p=0.05), severity of symptoms (β= 0.45, p=0.03), anxiety trait(β= 0.40, p=0.03) and quality of life (β= -0.61, p=0.001) during chemotherapy. Conclusions: Adherence to mind body interventions such as yoga improves psychological and quality of life outcomes in breast cancer patients undergoing conventional cancer treatment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (11) ◽  
pp. 5469-5478
Author(s):  
Yemataw Wondie ◽  
Andreas Hinz

Abstract Purpose Cancer is of increasing prevalence in less-developed countries. However, research on the patients’ quality of life (QoL) in these countries is very limited. The aim of this study was to examine QoL of cancer patients in Africa. Method A sample of 256 cancer patients treated in an Ethiopian hospital was examined with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire EORTC QLQ-C30, the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. A group of 1664 German cancer patients served as a comparison group. Results Most of the scales of the EORTC QLQ-C30 showed acceptable reliability in the Ethiopian sample. Compared with the German cancer patients, the Ethiopian patients showed lower QoL in most dimensions, especially in financial difficulties, physical functioning, pain, and appetite loss (effect sizes between 0.52 and 0.75). Illiteracy, tumor stage, and treatment (surgery and chemotherapy) were associated with QoL in the Ethiopian sample. QoL was strongly correlated with fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Conclusion The EORTC QLQ-C30 is a suitable instrument for measuring QoL in Ethiopia. The detriments in QoL in the Ethiopian patients indicate specific cancer care needs for the patients in a developing country.


Author(s):  
Susan DeSanto-Madeya ◽  
Jennifer Tjia ◽  
Christina Fitch ◽  
Amy Wachholtz

Background: This study examined the feasibility, burden and acceptability of a legacy-making intervention in adults with cancer and preliminary effects on patient quality-of-life (QOL) measures. Method: We conducted a Stage IB pilot, intervention study. The intervention was a digital video legacy-making interview of adults with advanced cancer to create a digital video of their memories and experiences. Baseline and post-video QOL assessments included: Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—General (FACT-G), Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Emotional Thermometers for distress, anxiety, anger, help and depression. Participants received a final copy of the digital video for distribution to their families. Results: Adults (n = 16) ages 38-83 years old with an advanced or life-limiting cancer diagnosis completed an intervention. Feasibility and acceptability was strong with 0% attrition. While the pilot study was not powered for quantitative significance, there were changes from baseline to post-intervention in the participants’ total or subscale FACT-G scores, PDI, HADS anxiety or depression scores, and Emotional Thermometer scores. Conclusions: A digital video legacy-making intervention is feasible for adults with cancer without significant negative outcomes for individuals completing the study. It remains unclear whether this intervention contributes to positive quality of life outcomes.


2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (6) ◽  
pp. 1368-1376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Stachler ◽  
Lonni R. Schultz ◽  
David Nerenz ◽  
Kathleen L. Yaremchuk

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 1246-1253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amna Husain ◽  
Jeff Myers ◽  
Debbie Selby ◽  
Barbara Thomson ◽  
Edward Chow

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 458-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byeongsang Oh ◽  
Thomas Eade ◽  
Andrew Kneebone ◽  
George Hruby ◽  
Gillian Lamoury ◽  
...  

Background. Guidelines surrounding optimum needle retention duration in acupuncture have not been established, despite a growing evidence base for acupuncture over recent decades. This retrospective study explored the effect of varying acupuncture needle retention durations in cancer patients. Method. Patients received either 2 (n = 35), 10 (n = 53), or 20 minutes (n = 54) of acupuncture once a week for 6 weeks. Outcomes of anxiety and depression, stress, fatigue, and quality of life (QOL), with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Fatigue, and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life, were measured at baseline and at 6 weeks following the intervention. Results. The mean age of participants was 58 years (n = 152). The majority were female, diagnosed with breast cancer. Depression, stress, fatigue, and QOL were significantly improved in all 3 groups at 6 weeks postintervention. No significant differences in all outcomes were found between the 3 groups (≤2 vs 10 minutes vs 20 minutes). There were no differences with the satisfaction of the acupuncture services and perceived efficacy of acupuncture among the 3 groups. More than 95% of participants indicated that they would recommend acupuncture to other cancer patients, friends, and their family members. Conclusion. The efficacy of acupuncture may not only depend on needle retention duration, but may also be associated with multiple factors. Considering the limitations of this study design, robust randomized controlled studies are warranted to confirm the findings.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Lombardo ◽  
Richard Shaw ◽  
Kathleen Sayles ◽  
Dorothea Altschul

Abstract Background: Observe the relationship of anxiety and depression on quality of life outcomes after open and endovascular cerebrovascular procedures. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 349 patients who underwent a procedure for aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation, intraparenchymal hemorrhage, carotid stenosis, acute stroke, and conventional catheter angiogram over three years at a community hospital. We correlated pre-procedural anxiety and depression with Global Physical Health, Global Mental Health, and Modified Rankin Scale scores. We performed univariate and multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses adjusting for past medical history and sociodemographic factors. Results: Anxiety or depression occurred in eighteen percent of patients. Patients with anxiety or depression were more likely to be female (81% vs 60.8%; p=0.002) and younger (54 vs. 59 years old; p=0.025). The groups did not differ in type or urgency of procedure, smoking or history of diabetes, or cardiovascular disease. Patients with anxiety or depression reported lower mental health scores at 30 days (45.1 vs 48.2; p=0.002) post-procedure. In multivariate analyses, anxious or depressed patients had worse mental health scores at 30 days (t=-2.893; p=0.008) than those who did not have a history of anxiety or depression. There was no difference between groups in length of stay, mortality, physical health t-scores, functionality scores, or six month quality of life outcomes. Conclusions: Patients undergoing cerebrovascular procedures who self-reported anxiety or depression showed a significant difference in mental health outcomes at 30 days, but six month mental health and other medical and functional outcomes measures were similar to patients without these diagnoses.


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