Gastrointestinal symptoms of pelvic radiation disease (part 1): literature review

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 40-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Ludlow ◽  
John Green

Radiotherapy used to treat cancers in the pelvic region can have lasting side effects, and the persistence of these symptoms for 3 months or more is described as pelvic radiation disease (PRD). The growing number of pelvic cancer patients being diagnosed and successfully treated is increasing the incidence of PRD. This review examines the literature on the gastrointestinal symptoms of PRD. This includes how PRD is defined, how it is identified and how it relates specifically to the three pelvic cancers in which it most commonly manifests (prostate, gynaecological and colorectal). It pays particular attention to the impact of PRD on patient experience and quality of life. This review is the first part in a series on the GI symptoms of PRD.

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 175628642199399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette Wundes ◽  
Sibyl Wray ◽  
Ralf Gold ◽  
Barry A. Singer ◽  
Elzbieta Jasinska ◽  
...  

Background: Diroximel fumarate (DRF) is a novel oral fumarate approved for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). DRF demonstrated significantly improved gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability versus dimethyl fumarate (DMF) with fewer days of Individual Gastrointestinal Symptom and Impact Scale (IGISIS) scores ⩾2, GI adverse events (AEs), and treatment discontinuations due to GI AEs. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of GI tolerability events on quality of life (QoL) for patients with relapsing–remitting MS who received DRF or DMF in EVOLVE-MS-2. Methods: A post hoc analysis was conducted in patients who were enrolled in the randomized, blinded, 5-week, EVOLVE-MS-2 [ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03093324] study of DRF versus DMF. Patients completed daily IGISIS and Global GISIS (GGISIS) eDiary questionnaires to assess GI symptom intensity and interference with daily activities and work. Results: In total, 504 patients (DRF, n = 253; DMF, n = 251) received study drug and 502 (DRF, n = 253; DMF, n = 249) completed at least one post-baseline questionnaire. With DRF, GI symptoms were less likely to interfere ‘quite a bit’ or ‘extremely’ with regular daily activities [IGISIS: DRF, 9.5% (24/253) versus DMF, 28.9% (72/249)] or work productivity [GGISIS: DRF, 6.1% (10/165) versus DMF, 11.3% (18/159)]. DRF-treated patients had fewer days with ⩾1 h of missed work (DRF, 43 days, n = 20 versus DMF, 88 days, n = 26). DMF-treated patients reported highest GI symptom severity and missed work at week 2–3 shortly after completing the titration period, which coincided with the majority of GI-related treatment discontinuations [58.3% (7/12)]. GI tolerability AEs [DRF, 34.8% (88/253); DMF, 48.2% (121/251)], concomitant symptomatic medication use [DRF, 19.3% (17/88) versus DMF, 30.6% (37/121)], and GI-related discontinuations (DRF, 0.8% versus DMF, 4.8%) were lower with DRF versus DMF. Conclusions: The improved GI tolerability with DRF translated into clinically meaningful benefits to QoL, as patients experienced less impact on daily life and work and required less concomitant symptomatic medication use. Trial registration: [ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03093324]


2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 338-342
Author(s):  
J HA Arnoldus ◽  
J Killestein ◽  
L EMA Pfennings ◽  
B Jelles ◽  
B MJ Uitdehaag ◽  
...  

Objectives: To determine the quality of life (QoL) of MS patients during the initial 6 months of treatment with interferon-b (IFN-b). Furthermore, to determine whether changes in QoL relate to disability, emotional state, therapeutic expectations or side effect profile. Background: IFN-b has been shown to have beneficial effects on the course of MS. Since the aim of IFN-b treatment is not to cure but to slow down the disease it is important to know how this treatment affects QoL. Surprisingly, the impact of treatment with IFN-b on QoL measures has not been extensively studied so far. Methods: Case report documentation, including EDSS, SF-36 and MADRAS scores, of 51 relapsing-remitting MS patients treated with IFN-b was obtained at baseline and at months 1, 3 and 6. Patients also filled in a form about their expectations of therapy and a questionnaire on side effects. Results: During treatment there was a significant linear trend indicating improvement in the role-physical functioning (RPF) scale of the SF-36 (F1,50=4.9, P=0.032). A transient decrease at month 1 was found in the scale for bodily pain, indicating more experienced pain (F1,50=19.8, P50.001). Subgroup analysis showed that patients with most depressive symptoms on the MADRAS at baseline contributed most to the increase in RPF scores over time (F1,24=5,6 P=0.026). Furthermore, we found associations between adverse event scores and several domains of QoL. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that IFN-b therapy has an impact on QoL of MS patients in that it improves role-physical functioning and transiently worsens experienced bodily pain. QoL during treatment with IFN-b is influenced by depressive symptoms at baseline as well as by treatment-associated side-effects.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 220-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Karol ◽  
Dianne Smith

Aim:The objective of this article is to identify and analyze what is known about characteristics in and around the home that support well-being for those with cognitive impairment. This could provide direction for designers of homes in general, but specifically for designers trying to meet the needs of people with cognitive impairment.Background:It has been established that there is a relationship between psychological well-being and a person’s environment. Research also shows that particular design aspects can reduce the impact of cognitive impairment. However, there is limited design expertise in the Australian housing market to create supportive spaces which will help to reduce the impact of the disability for those with cognitive impairment.Method:A literature review was carried out to determine the extent and details of what is known about the relationship of home design and its impact on emotional, psychological, or social well-being for people with cognitive impairment.Conclusions:The study indicates that researchers in various disciplines understand that pragmatic design inputs such as thermal comfort and adequate lighting are important for people with cognitive impairment. In addition, some researchers have shown or surmise that there are other “intangible” designer-controlled elements that have beneficial impacts on people with cognitive impairment. Details of these intangible elements are sparse, and how much they might improve the quality of life for a person with cognitive impairment is not well understood. Further research is required to meet a growing need.


2010 ◽  
pp. 181-187
Author(s):  
S. Jos Closs

The impact of neuropathic pain on quality of life has been under-researched and poorly understood though survey and focus group research is helping to gain better insights into what patients suffer Neuropathic pain can result in significant sleep disturbance, fatigue, and low mood (that sometimes leads to suicidal ideation), and side-effects from drug treatment are common...


Medicina ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosellina Margherita Mancina ◽  
Raffaele Pagnotta ◽  
Caterina Pagliuso ◽  
Vincenzo Albi ◽  
Daniela Bruno ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives: Nursing management in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is focused on global patient care. Starting from basic knowledge of diagnostic and therapeutic management, nurses can assess the impact of IBD on patients’ quality of life not only at the physical level, but also at the psychological, social, and emotional levels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of gastrointestinal symptoms on psychosocial changes in IBD patients in remission through nursing-led Patient-Reported Outcomes. Materials and Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 109 IBD patients in clinical and endoscopic remission. Specialist nurses invited patients to complete questionnaires on gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life through the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). Results: We found that the gastrointestinal symptoms that the patients reported had a significant impact on the analyzed aspects of health. More specifically, belly pain, diarrhea, and bloating were associated with depressive symptoms (p < 0.001), anxiety (p < 0.001), fatigue (p < 0.001), and sleep disturbances (p < 0.001). Moreover, these symptoms also significantly affected patients’ social dimension in terms of satisfaction with participation in social roles (p < 0.001, p < 0.05, and p < 0.001 for belly pain, diarrhea, and bloating, respectively) and physical functions (p < 0.001). The results were virtually the same in a multivariable analysis adjusted by age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and disease duration. Conclusions: Even during remission, gastrointestinal symptoms are the main factors that influence quality of life in IBD patients. This exploratory study highlights the need to adopt validated questionnaires in clinical practice, and demonstrates that PROMIS is a valid, objective, and standardized instrument that can help nursing staff to better define the consequences of the disease in a patient’s daily life.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Letizia Negri ◽  
Antonio Ferreras ◽  
Michele Iester

Glaucoma is a progressive, chronic optic neuropathy characterized by a typical visual field defects. Four main classes of topical medication are actually available on the market: beta-blockers, prostaglandins, alpha2-agonists, and topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor to treat intraocular pressure (IOP). The aim of this review is to outline the efficacy of timolol and to evaluate the impact of this treatment on patients’ quality of life. Among beta-blockers, timolol is most used at three different concentrations: 0.1%, 0.25%, and 0.5%. While the first one is a gel, the other two products are solution. Timolol has few topical side effects, while it has some important systemic side effects on the cardiac and respiratory systems. The balance between efficacy and safety is always the main aspect to care patients. Because of the less efficacy of timolol 0.1% solution, the possibility to use carbomers as vehicle in the gel drops helped timolol 0.1 to be used in clinics, extending the time contact between the active ingredient and the surface of the cornea. Using preservative-free timolol 0.1 for treatment, IOP was at the same level of the other beta-blockers at higher concentration, but it was better tolerated. Preservative-free treatment improved the quality of life reducing dry-eye like symptoms; furthermore, the presence of an artificial tear in the medication bottle could help adherence. The once daily dosing improves compliance.


Author(s):  
Steven M. Grunberg

Overview: Although chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting is recognized as having been an important problem during the initial introduction of chemotherapy into the antineoplastic armamentarium, the assumption that this problem has already been solved can restrict optimal management and further advances. Underestimation of nausea and vomiting may have many causes. If these toxicities are assumed to be necessary properties of chemotherapy, then their incidence may be taken for granted. If nausea and vomiting appear after discharge from the clinic several days after chemotherapy, these toxicities may not be reported because of poor recall or because of efforts by patients to avoid unnecessary complaints. Physician education may be compromised if physicians see nausea and vomiting as population problems but not problems for their own patients. Failure to recognize nausea and vomiting as two distinct entities that may appear independently of each other can also limit understanding of the prevalence of these problems and efforts at effective management. Continued attention to the impact of nausea and vomiting on the patient experience will be necessary to insure optimal maintenance of quality of life.


2020 ◽  
pp. 174498712094679
Author(s):  
Dean A Anderson ◽  
Victoria Clemett

Background The inclusion of specialist nurses in multi-disciplinary teams is the current gold standard for care of people with heart failure (HF) in the UK; however, they remain underutilised in practice. Though existing systematic reviews favourably compare advanced nursing roles to physician-led care, none has focused solely on HF. Aim To investigate the impact of specialist and advanced nurse-led care on the clinical outcomes, quality of life and satisfaction of people with HF compared to physician-led care. Methods Literature review and narrative synthesis. Results This review included 12 studies and categorised their measured outcomes into five domains: mortality; hospital admissions and length of stay; HF diagnosis and management; quality of life and patient satisfaction; and finally, self-assessment and self-care. Five studies appraised as medium or low risk of bias suggest the impact of specialist and advanced-level nurses on people with HF to be broadly equivalent to physicians regarding mortality, hospital admissions and length of stay, while superior in terms of self-assessment and self-care behaviours. Conclusions There were too few studies of sufficient methodological quality to draw definitive conclusions. However, no evidence was found to suggest that nurse-led services are any less effective or safe than physician-led services.


2008 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1049-1053 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gisele Curi de Barros ◽  
Renata Curi Labate

One of the radiotherapeutic modalities for gynecological cancer treatment is brachytherapy, characterized by the placement of radioactive materials near the tumor. This treatment can bring side effects for patients. Due to the emotional issues involved, the objective of this research was to apprehend studies about psychological repercussions related to brachytherapy treatment in women with gynecological cancer, through a literature review. The results revealed an embryionic production, with only one study produced in Brazil. A higher concentration of studies was found in the Nursing area. Research focused on psychosocial repercussions, attempting to understand the patients' experiences before, during and after treatment, evidencing physical and psychological consequences that affect their quality of life. It is important to consider the expansion of this production through psychological research that furthers the comprehension about the experience of women submitted to brachytherapy.


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