Oncologist liaison: Satisfaction and symptoms in cancer long survivors.

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 251-251
Author(s):  
Francisco Javier García Navalón ◽  
Rosa Monfort García ◽  
Alberto Jacobo Cunquero Tomás ◽  
Gerardo Antonio Umanzor Funez ◽  
Virginia Palomar Coloma ◽  
...  

251 Background: Each year, the prevalence of cancer long survivors (CLS) increases; defined as a person who after five years of diagnosis and treatment is free from disease. Health problems faced by these patients are different from those in general population. Because of that, our service launched in 2007 the figure of the Oncologist Liaison, which acts as a link, and is responsible for assessing these Patients at Specialty Centers. Methods: 238 questionnaires, answered by CLS, were collected between January 2013 and April 2014. Variables of interest were collected by a 18-item questionnaire, designed to assess the aftermath of treatment, socio-emotional impact and employment impact. To assess the performance, methods of descriptive statistics have been used. Results: 90.6% of CLS believe that Oncologist Liaison improves their quality of life, with a decrease in anxiety in 80% of them. 52% of the patients (124) have residual symptoms, being the most frequent asthenia (27.6%). The most prominent symptoms were neurological, such as insomnia (16.5%), anxiety (17.4%) and depression (12.2%). Musculoskeletal problems included myalgia (29.5%), arthralgia (27.5%) and paresthesias (18.3%). Cancer and its treatment have a great impact in sexuality, affecting the 35% of the patients: 24'6% have sexual appetite loss and 7.5% dyspareunia; 10.5% of the men refer impotence and premature ejaculation 5% of them; 28.5% of the women referred vaginal dryness. Conclusions: First, more than half of our patients presented residual symptoms; reporting 90% of them improvement in quality of life related to surveillance. Second, it is necessary to create in our Medical Oncology Services a professional dedicated to coordinate the scientific and organizational aspects necessary for a good follow-up of CLS.

2017 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Bãrbuş ◽  
Claudiu Peştean ◽  
Maria Iulia Larg ◽  
Doina Piciu

Introduction. Quality of life (QoL) has received increasing interest in the last years, especially in patients with cancer. This article aims to analyze a selection of medical research papers regarding the quality of life in patients with thyroid carcinoma. We overviewed the main QoL aspects derived from several studies and highlighted those less researched issues, which could represent a solid base for future clinical studies.Method. We used an integrative selection method of medical literature, choosing mostly "free access" studies, as it was considered that they could be easily viewed, searched and researched including by patients.Results. After an integrative literature review, we selected 16 relevant studies. Patients with thyroid cancer have several factors influencing their QoL, with both physical and psychological impact. The decisive factors are the quality of the surgical act, radioiodine therapy, follow-up using rh-TSH vs. hormonal withdrawal, access to behavioral help and the relationship with their physician.Conclusion. We must understand the emotional impact of the cancer diagnosis on the patient and we must collaborate in order to help the patient restore the psychosomatic balance and to recover the quality of life.


2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 131-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasrin Hossain ◽  
Qazi Mobina Akter ◽  
Farzana Banu ◽  
Sharif Mahmud

Cervical cancer is the main cause of malignancy-related death among women living in developing countries. The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) among Bangladeshi cervical cancer survivors and its relationships with demographic and disease related factorsA cross-sectional study was carried out on one hundred nine consecutive cervical cancer survivors in National Institute of cancer Research and Hospital, Dhaka from September 2014 to february2015 using European organization for Research and treatment of cancer core Questionnaires (QOL-C30 and QOL-CX24). Demographic condition like education level, occupation and disease related factors like stages, treatment modality and duration of follow-up time were taken as investigating factors against functional scales. Cronbach´s alpha was calculated to asses’ internal consistency among items.Cervical cancer survivors stated a moderate QOL. Sub-domains of QOL score and global health status were significantly associated with physical function(PF) scales (p=.000), fatigue (p=.045), nausea and vomiting (p=.000), Appetite loss (p=.001), constipation (p=.005), symptom experience (p=.005) and menopausal symptoms (p=.015). QOL mean score were negatively associated with emotional function(EF) scales, pain, fatigue, nausea, appetite loss and financial problems. Education level showed significant association with physical function(PF) (p=.001), emotional function(EF) (p=.027), Cognitive function(CF) (p=.000) and sexual function (p=.001). Duration (Follow-up) time was significance association with PF (p=.005), EF (p=.012), symptoms experience (p=.001). Although, the QOL in cervical cancer survivors was moderate, treatment of related symptoms and improvement of demographic condition can influence the QOL and survivors improve the care of cervical cancer. So, improve the QOL among cervical cancer survivors.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
fares darawshy ◽  
Ayman Abu Rmeileh ◽  
Rottem Kuint ◽  
Dan Padawer ◽  
Khalil Karim ◽  
...  

Abstract RationaleSymptoms following acute COVID-19 infection are common, but their relationship to initial COVID-19 severity is unclear. We hypothesize that residual symptoms are related to disease severity, and severe acute COVID-19 infection is more likely to cause residual pulmonary damage. This study aims to evaluate symptoms, lung function and abnormal imaging within 3 months following COVID-19 infection, and whether they are related to initial disease severity.Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out at a designated post-COVID clinic in Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. Patients with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were evaluated within 12 weeks following infection and included both admitted and non-admitted subjects. All participants underwent assessment of symptoms, quality of life (SGRQ), pulmonary function tests, and imaging. Results A total of 208 patients (age 49.3±16 years) were included in the study. Initial disease severity was mild in 86, moderate in 49 and severe in 73 patients. At the time of follow up, there were no differences in frequency of residual symptoms or in SGRQ score between groups. Patients with severe COVID-19 were more likely to have residual dyspnea (p=0.04), lower oxygen saturation (p<0.01), lower FVC and TLC (p<0.001, p=0.03 respectively), abnormal CXR (p<0.01) and abnormal CT scan (p<0.01) compared to other groups. Conclusion Frequency of symptoms and impairment of quality of life at 12 weeks follow up are common and are not related to severity of initial COVID-19 disease. In contrast, reduced lung function and abnormal pulmonary imaging are more common in patients with more severe acute COVID-19 infection.


Crisis ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yves Sarfati ◽  
Blandine Bouchaud ◽  
Marie-Christine Hardy-Baylé

Summary: The cathartic effect of suicide is traditionally defined as the existence of a rapid, significant, and spontaneous decrease in the depressive symptoms of suicide attempters after the act. This study was designed to investigate short-term variations, following a suicide attempt by self-poisoning, of a number of other variables identified as suicidal risk factors: hopelessness, impulsivity, personality traits, and quality of life. Patients hospitalized less than 24 hours after a deliberate (moderate) overdose were presented with the Montgomery-Asberg Depression and Impulsivity Rating Scales, Hopelessness scale, MMPI and World Health Organization's Quality of Life questionnaire (abbreviated versions). They were also asked to complete the same scales and questionnaires 8 days after discharge. The study involved 39 patients, the average interval between initial and follow-up assessment being 13.5 days. All the scores improved significantly, with the exception of quality of life and three out of the eight personality traits. This finding emphasizes the fact that improvement is not limited to depressive symptoms and enables us to identify the relative importance of each studied variable as a risk factor for attempted suicide. The limitations of the study are discussed as well as in particular the nongeneralizability of the sample and setting.


Pneumologie ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 64 (S 03) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Velling ◽  
D Skowasch ◽  
S Pabst ◽  
E Jansen ◽  
I Tuleta ◽  
...  
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