Cognitive function in cancer survivors: Analysis of the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 193-193
Author(s):  
AnnaLynn Williams ◽  
Michelle Christine Janelsins ◽  
Edwin van Wijngaarden

193 Background: Cancer and its treatment may affect cognitive function in up to 35% of survivors months after treatment. While short-term treatment-related cognitive changes are well recognized, only limited research is available in older, long-term survivors of cancer. Methods: Using NHANES data from 1999 through 2002, 408 cancer survivors and 2,639 non-cancer participants age 60 and above were identified. Cognitive function of these groups were compared on self-reported problems with memory or confusion and using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), a test of processing speed, attention, and learning and working memory involving executive functions domains. Results: Cancer survivors were on average 72.8 years old and 11.5 years from diagnosis. After adjustment for covariates, cancer survivors scored, on average, 1.99 points lower on the DSST compared to non-cancer survivors (ß=-1.99, 95%CI -3.94, -0.05). Cancer survivors also had 17% higher odds of self-reporting problems with memory or confusion (OR 1.17, 95%CI 0.89, 1.53). Similar results were observed among survivors ≥ 5 years from diagnosis (ß =-2.38, 95%CI -4.57, -0.18, OR1.41, 95%CI 0.99, 2.02). Results suggest that age modifies the association between cancer diagnosis and DSST score (p=0.11) with a larger effect size in the younger group (between 60 and 75 years). Among those younger than 75, cancer survivors performed 3.25 points lower on the DSST compared to non-cancer survivors (ß =-3.25; 95%CI -5.88, -0.62). However, this difference was only 0.18 points lower among those 75 or older (ß =-0.18; 95%CI -2.94, 2.57). Conclusions: This is the only study to examine domain specific cognitive deficits in a large, nationally representative, older population of long-term cancer survivors and the first to report deficits in processing speed, attention, and learning and working memory domains. These domains are thought to be important for social and executive functioning and quality of life. Characterizing affected domains and subpopulations will help to develop and test effective interventions and may influence treatment practices in older cancer patients.

2021 ◽  
pp. 089198872110491
Author(s):  
Katie Stypulkowski ◽  
Rachel E. Thayer

More older adults are using cannabis for recreational and/or medical purposes, but most studies examining cognitive function and cannabis use do not include older adults. The current small pilot study sought to compare cognitive function and emotional functioning among adults age 60 and older who were regular, primarily recreational cannabis users ( n = 28) and nonusers ( n = 10). A bimodal distribution was observed among cannabis users such that they had either initiated regular use more recently (“short-term” users; ≤7 years, n = 13) or earlier in life (“long-term” users; ≥19 years, n = 15). Nonusers, short-term, and long-term users were not different in depression, anxiety, or emotion regulation, or alcohol use. Nonusers scored significantly higher than long-term users in executive function. Short-term users scored significantly higher than long-term users in executive function, processing speed, and general cognition. Additionally, greater recent cannabis use frequency was negatively associated with working memory. The current findings suggest that short-term recreational cannabis use does not result in differences in cognitive performance compared to nonusers, which may indicate that short-term use is relatively benign in older adults. However, longer duration of use is associated with poorer processing speed and executive functioning, and more recent cannabis use is associated with poorer working memory, which may impact older adults’ overall cognitive functioning.


Author(s):  
سعيد مزعل موازي ◽  
يحيى فائق حسين ◽  
عبد المنعم دولاني ◽  
سيف يوسف عبدالله السويدي

Recently, many studies have been conducted to discover or improve cancers treatment. The current study aims to investigate the anticancer effect of thymoquinone, cordyceps, spirulina, ganoderma lucidium, poria cocos, and lion’s mane in four different concentrations 4, 8, 16, and 32 ug (equivalent to 1 mg/mL) in two different time treatments (48 and 96 hours) on human nasal epithelial cell line RPMI 2650. By using cell culture cytotoxicity techniques and assay, the highest anticancer effect on RPMI 2650 was obtained by thymoquinone. The lowest anticancer effect was demonstrated by poria cocos and cordyceps. However, these two medications showed higher anticancer effect when given in short-term treatment (48 hours) compared to long-term treatment (96 hours). Ganoderma lucidium and spirulina showed better impact than poria cocos, cordyceps, and lion’s mane in term of cells cytotoxicity. Mild to moderate antineoplastic effect was seen by utilizing lion’s mane treatment compared other drugs. Therefore, adopting a long-term treatment of high concentrations and doses of thymoquinone, cordyceps, spirulina, ganoderma lucidium, poria cocos, and lion’s mane can be more effective in the treatment of nasal cancer. In conclusion, these drugs were found to be a promising cancer remedy; therefore, they can be utilized as alternative treatment for nasal cancer or any other type of cancer therapy.


2015 ◽  
Vol 100 (9) ◽  
pp. 838-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dag Sulheim ◽  
Even Fagermoen ◽  
Øyvind Stople Sivertsen ◽  
Anette Winger ◽  
Vegard Bruun Wyller ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo compare cognitive function in adolescents with chronic fatigue with cognitive function in healthy controls (HC).Study designCross-sectional study.SettingPaediatric department at Oslo University Hospital, Norway.Participants120 adolescents with chronic fatigue (average age 15.4 years; range 12–18) and 39 HC (average age 15.2 years; range 12–18).MethodsThe adolescents completed a neurocognitive test battery measuring processing speed, working memory, cognitive inhibition, cognitive flexibility, verbal learning and verbal memory, and questionnaires addressing demographic data, depression symptoms, anxiety traits, fatigue and sleep problems. Parents completed the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), which measures the everyday executive functions of children.ResultsAdolescents with chronic fatigue had impaired cognitive function compared to HC regarding processing speed (mean difference 3.3, 95% CI 1.1 to 5.5, p=0.003), working memory (−2.4, −3.7 to −1.1, p<0.001), cognitive inhibition response time (6.2, 0.8 to 11.7, p=0.025) and verbal learning (−1.7, −3.2 to −0.3, p=0.022). The BRIEF results indicated that everyday executive functions were significantly worse in the chronic fatigue group compared to the HC (11.2, 8.2 to 14.3, p<0.001). Group differences remained largely unaffected when adjusted for symptoms of depression, anxiety traits and sleep problems.ConclusionsAdolescents with chronic fatigue had impaired cognitive function of clinical relevance, measured by objective cognitive tests, in comparison to HC. Working memory and processing speed may represent core difficulties.


CNS Spectrums ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 3 (9) ◽  
pp. 64-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary A. Christenson ◽  
Scott J. Crow ◽  
James E. Mitchell ◽  
Thomas B. Mackenzie ◽  
Ross D. Crosby ◽  
...  

AbstractThis short-term, open-label study investigates short- and long-term effects of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluvoxamine for the treatment of trichotillomania (TTM). Additionally, this study aimed to test the hypothesis that the presence of hair pulling compulsiveness is predictive of SSRI response. Nineteen subjects meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition Revised, (DSM-III-R) criteria for TTM were treated with fluvoxamine at doses up to 300 mg/day. Random regression analysis of change across time for patients who completed the study (n=14) and those who dropped out (n=5) revealed statistically significant improvements in Physician Rating Scale, hair-pulling episodes, Trichotillomania Impairment Scale, and Trichotillomania Symptom Severity Scale, but not in estimated amount of hair pulled. In addition, the percentage of patients' focused or compulsive hair-pulling symptoms was predictive of treatment response. Unfortunately, all three subjects who entered long-term treatment displayed substantial movement back toward baseline by the end of 6 months. We concluded that fluvoxamine produces moderate reductions in symptoms during the short-term treatment of TTM and that the presence of focused or compulsive hair pulling may be predictive of treatment response. However, responses may be short lived when treatment is extended.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gek Phin Chua ◽  
Quan Sing Ng ◽  
Hiang Khoon Tan ◽  
Whee Sze Ong

Abstract Background The aim of this study is to determine the main concerns of survivors at various stages of the cancer survivorship of the cancer survivorship trajectory and to assess whether these concerns have any effect on their quality of life (QOL). The overall goal was to use the insights from the study to guide practice on patient care. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 1107 cancer survivors diagnosed with colorectal, breast, lung, gynaecological, prostate or liver cancers from a cancer centre in Singapore. Eligible patients self-completed a questionnaire adapted from the Mayo Clinic Cancer Centre’s Cancer Survivors Survey of Needs. Results The top 5 concerns among all survivors were cancer treatment and recurrence risk (51%), followed by long-term treatment effects (49%), fear of recurrence (47%), financial concerns (37%) and fatigue (37%). Cancer treatment and recurrence risk, long-term treatment effects and fear of recurrence were amongst the top concerns across the survivorship trajectory. Mean QOL was 7.3 on a scale of 0 – 10. Completed treatment patients had higher QOL score than the newly diagnosed and on treatment patients and the patients dealing with recurrence or second cancer patients. Predictors for QOL included the economic status and housing type of patients and whether patients were concerned with pain and fatigue Conclusion This study confirms that cancer survivors in Singapore face multiple challenges and had various concerns at various stages of cancer survivorship, some of which negatively affect their QOL It is critical to design patient care delivery that appropriately address the various concerns of cancer survivors in order for them to cope and improve their QOL.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-124
Author(s):  
Joy E. Ikekpeazu ◽  
Oliver C. Orji ◽  
Ikenna K. Uchendu ◽  
Lawrence U.S. Ezeanyika

Background and Objective: There may be a possible link between the use of HAART and oxidative stress-related mitochondrial dysfunction in HIV patients. We evaluated the mitochondrial and oxidative impacts of short and long-term administration of HAART on HIV patients attending the Enugu State University Teaching (ESUT) Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria following short and long-term therapy. Methods: 96 patients categorized into four groups of 24 individuals were recruited for the study. Group 1 comprised of age-matched, apparently healthy, sero-negative individuals (the No HIV group); group 2 consisted of HIV sero-positive individuals who had not started any form of treatment (the Treatment naïve group). Individuals in group 3 were known HIV patients on HAART for less than one year (Short-term treatment group), while group 4 comprised of HIV patients on HAART for more than one year (Long-term treatment group). All patients were aged between 18 to 60 years and attended the HIV clinic at the time of the study. Determination of total antioxidant status (TAS in nmol/l), malondialdehyde (MDA in mmol/l), CD4+ count in cells/μl, and genomic studies were all done using standard operative procedures. Results: We found that the long-term treatment group had significantly raised the levels of MDA, as well as significantly diminished TAS compared to the Short-term treatment and No HIV groups (P<0.05). In addition, there was significantly elevated variation in the copy number of mitochondrial genes (mtDNA: D-loop, ATPase 8, TRNALEU uur) in the long-term treatment group. Interpretation and Conclusion: Long-term treatment with HAART increases oxidative stress and causes mitochondrial alterations in HIV patients.


2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 518-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco P Donadini ◽  
Francesco Dentali ◽  
Samuela Pegoraro ◽  
Fulvio Pomero ◽  
Chiara Brignone ◽  
...  

Isolated distal deep vein thrombosis (IDDVT) is a common clinical manifestation of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, there are only scant and heterogeneous data available on the long-term risk of recurrent VTE after IDDVT, and the optimal therapeutic management remains uncertain. We carried out a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients diagnosed with symptomatic IDDVT between 2004 and 2011, according to a predefined short-term treatment protocol (low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) for 4–6 weeks). The primary outcome was the occurrence of recurrent VTE. A total of 321 patients were enrolled. IDDVT was associated with a transient risk factor or cancer in 165 (51.4%) and 56 (17.4%) patients, respectively. LMWH was administered for 4–6 weeks to 280 patients (87.2%), who were included in the primary analysis. Overall, during a mean follow-up of 42.3 months, 42 patients (15%) developed recurrent VTE, which occurred as proximal DVT or PE in 21 cases. The recurrence rate of VTE per 100 patient-years was 3.5 in patients with transient risk factors, 7.2 in patients with unprovoked IDDVT, and 5.9 in patients with cancer ( p=0.018). At multivariable analysis, unprovoked IDDVT and previous VTE were significantly associated with recurrent VTE (HR 2.16, 95% CI 1.12–4.16 and HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.01–3.86, respectively). In conclusion, the long-term risk of recurrent VTE after IDDVT treated for 4–6 weeks is not negligible, in particular in patients with unprovoked IDDVT or cancer. Further studies are needed to clarify whether a longer, but definite treatment duration effectively prevents these recurrences.


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