scholarly journals Chronic Diseases and Associated Factors among Older Adults in Loja, Ecuador

Author(s):  
Patricia Bonilla-Sierra ◽  
Ana-Magdalena Vargas-Martínez ◽  
Viviana Davalos-Batallas ◽  
Fatima Leon-Larios ◽  
Maria-de-las-Mercedes Lomas-Campos

(1) Background: This study aimed to explore the symptoms, functional status, and depression in patients with chronic diseases in Loja, Ecuador. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with patients over 60 years old having at least one chronic disease and cared for in healthcare centers of the Health Ministry of Ecuador or living in associated geriatric centers. (3) Results: The sample comprised 283 patients with a mean age of 76.56 (SD 7.76) years. The most prevalent chronic diseases were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, followed by arterial hypertension and diabetes. Patients with a joint disease had the worst scores for the majority of the symptoms assessed with the Edmonton Scale. Cancer, dementia, and arterial hypertension contributed the most to the dependence levels assessed with the Barthel Index. Dementia contributed the most to the poor performance status evaluated with the Karnofsky Performance Status. Cancer and diabetes contributed the most to depression. Patients with a higher number of chronic diseases reported worse functional status. (4) Conclusions: Targeted interventions to address symptoms, functional status, and depression in patients with chronic diseases are needed.

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 792
Author(s):  
Tohru Ohmori ◽  
Toshimitsu Yamaoka ◽  
Koichi Ando ◽  
Sojiro Kusumoto ◽  
Yasunari Kishino ◽  
...  

The tyrosine kinase activity of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs) plays critical roles in cell proliferation, regeneration, tumorigenesis, and anticancer resistance. Non-small-cell lung cancer patients who responded to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) and obtained survival benefits had somatic EGFR mutations. EGFR-TKI-related adverse events (AEs) are usually tolerable and manageable, although serious AEs, including lung injury (specifically, interstitial lung disease (ILD), causing 58% of EGFR-TKI treatment-related deaths), occur infrequently. The etiopathogenesis of EGFR-TKI-induced ILD remains unknown. Risk factors, such as tobacco exposure, pre-existing lung fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and poor performance status, indicate that lung inflammatory circumstances may worsen with EGFR-TKI treatment because of impaired epithelial healing of lung injuries. There is limited evidence from preclinical and clinical studies of the mechanisms underlying EGFR-TKI-induced ILD in the available literature. Herein, we evaluated the relationship between EGFR-TKIs and AEs, especially ILD. Recent reports on mechanisms inducing lung injury or resistance in cytokine-rich circumstances were reviewed. We discussed the relevance of cytotoxic agents or immunotherapeutic agents in combination with EGFR-TKIs as a potential mechanism of EGFR-TKI-related lung injury and reviewed recent developments in diagnostics and therapeutics that facilitate recovery from lung injury or overcoming resistance to anti-EGFR treatment.


Author(s):  
Jorge Rasmussen ◽  
Pablo Ajler ◽  
Daniela Massa ◽  
Pedro Plou ◽  
Matteo Baccanelli ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Objective Surgical resection of brain metastases (BM) offers the highest rates of local control and survival; however, it is reserved for patients with good functional status. In particular, the presence of BM tends to oversize the detriment of the overall functional status, causing neurologic deterioration, potentially reversible following symptomatic pharmacological treatment. Thus, a timely indication of surgical resection may be dismissed. We propose to identify and quantify these variations in the functional status of patients with symptomatic BM to optimize the indication of surgical resection. Patients and Methods Historic, retrospective cohort analysis of adult patients undergoing BM microsurgical resection, consecutively from January 2012 to May 2016, was conducted. The Karnofsky performance status (KPS) variation was recorded according to the symptomatic evolution of each patient at specific moments of the diagnostic–therapeutic algorithm. Finally, survival curves were delineated for the main identified factors. Results One hundred and nineteen resection surgeries were performed. The median overall survival was 243 days, while on average it was 305.7 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 250.6–360.9) days. The indication of surgical resection of 10% of the symptomatic patients in our series (7.5% of overall) could have been initially rejected due to pharmacologically reversible neurologic impairment. Survival curves showed statistically significant differences when KPS was stratified following pharmacological symptomatic treatment (p < 0.0001), unlike when they were estimated at the time of BM diagnosis (p = 0.1128). Conclusion The preoperative determination of the functional status by KPS as an evolutive parameter after the nononcologic symptomatic pharmacological treatment allowed us to optimize the surgical indication of patients with symptomatic BM.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e044600
Author(s):  
Jessica Y. Islam ◽  
Denise C. Vidot ◽  
Marlene Camacho-Rivera

BackgroundPreventive behaviours have been recommended to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Adults with chronic diseases (CDs) are at higher risk of COVID-19-related mortality compared to the general population. Our objective was to evaluate adherence to COVID-19 preventive behaviours among adults without CDs compared with those with CDs and identify determinants of non-adherence to COVID-19 preventive behaviours.Study designCross-sectional.Setting and participantsWe used data from the nationally representative COVID-19 Impact Survey (n=10 760) conducted in the USA.Primary measuresAdults with CDs were categorised based on a self-reported diagnosis of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease/heart attack/stroke, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis or emphysema, cystic fibrosis, liver disease, compromised immune system, or cancer (54%).ResultsCompared with adults without CDs, adults with CDs were more likely to adhere to preventive behaviours including wearing a face mask (χ2-p<0.001), social distancing (χ2-p<0.001), washing or sanitising hands (χ2-p<0.001), and avoiding some or all restaurants (χ2-p=0.002) and public or crowded places (χ2-p=0.001). Adults with a high school degree or below [Adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR):1.82, 95% Confidence interval (CI)1.04 to 3.17], household income <US$50 000 (aPR:2.03, 95% CI 1.34 to 2.72), uninsured (aPR:1.65, 95% CI1.09 to 2.52), employed (aPR:1.48, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.17), residing in rural areas (aPR:1.70, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.85) and without any CD (aPR:1.78, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.55) were more likely to not adhere to COVID-19 preventive behaviours.ConclusionAdults with CDs are more likely to adhere to recommended COVID-19 preventive behaviours. Public health messaging targeting specific demographic groups and geographic areas, such as adults without CD or adults living in rural areas, should be prioritised.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 2024-2024
Author(s):  
Scott Randall Plotkin ◽  
Priya Kumthekar ◽  
Patrick Y. Wen ◽  
Frederick G. Barker ◽  
Anat Stemmer-Rachamimov ◽  
...  

2024 Background: Grade II/III meningiomas represent about 20% of tumors and have increased rates of recurrence with no approved medical therapies. Historically, the progression-free survival at 6 months (PFS-6) for these tumors is 25%. The Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) group identified a PFS-6 rate of > 35% to be of interest for trials of grade II/III meningioma. Methods : NF2 gene inactivation occurs in the majority of meningiomas and is associated with mTORC1 activation. Human studies of everolimus for neurofibromatosis 2 patients documented growth arrest in only a minority of tumors. Based on our studies showing mTORC2/SGK1 pathway activation in NF2-deficient meningiomas and the known paradoxical activation of the mTORC2/AKT pathway in meningiomas, we hypothesized that dual inhibition of mTORC1/2 would be superior in meningiomas. Treatment of primary meningioma cells with vistusertib led to decreased cell proliferation and showed greater efficacy than rapamycin, regardless of NF2 expression. We studied the effect of vistusertib in patients with progressive or recurrent grade II/III meningiomas (NCT03071874). Vistusertib was administered orally at 125mg twice daily on two consecutive days each week. MRIs were obtained every 2 cycles (1 cycle = 28 days). Tumor size was defined as the largest cross-sectional area. Progression was defined as ≥25% increase in the sum of products of all measurable lesions over smallest sum observed. The primary endpoint was PFS-6. Secondary endpoints included toxicity, radiographic response, and correlative studies including immunohistochemistry for mTORC1/2 pathway activation and genetic biomarkers. Results: Twenty-eight patients (13 female), with a median age of 58 years (range, 32 to 77 years), were enrolled in this multicenter study. The median Karnofsky performance status was 80. Twenty-five patients have been followed to six months or to tumor progression. The median duration of treatment was 6.5 month (range, 1-18 months). Four patients chose to discontinue treatment, 1 withdrew to intercurrent illness, and 1 was withdrawn due to non-compliance. PFS-6 is 51.5% (CI, 29.3% - 70.0%). Adverse events at least possibly related to vistusertib with frequency > 10% include nausea (54%); fatigue (36%); hypophosphatemia (29%); diarrhea, anorexia, dry mouth, and hypertriglyceridemia (all 14%); hypertension, vomiting, increased ALT, constipation, and weight loss (all 11%). Conclusions: Vistusertib treatment was associated with a PFS-6 rate that exceeds the RANO target of 35% for recurrent high-grade meningioma. The follow-up data continue to mature. Adverse events were tolerable in this patient population. Correlative studies to identify biological factors that correlate with response are under way. These data support the initiation of larger randomized studies of vistusertib in this setting. Clinical trial information: NCT03071874.


2018 ◽  
Vol 09 (03) ◽  
pp. 363-369
Author(s):  
Clifford C. Mwita ◽  
Florentius Koech ◽  
Titus Sisenda ◽  
Kirtika Patel ◽  
Benson Macharia ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Background: Astrocytomas are primary central nervous system tumors arising from astrocytes and accounting for up to 37.8% of all brain tumors seen in hospital-based studies from Africa. Despite being common, their patterns and short-term outcomes remain poorly studied in Kenya. Materials and Methods: A prospective, descriptive study involving consecutive patients with a histological diagnosis of astrocytoma seen in three hospitals located in Eldoret, Kenya. Clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes were recorded and patients followed up for 12 weeks. Results: Thirty-one patients were recruited over a 1-year period. Majority of them were female (51.6%). Headache (83.9%) and focal neurological deficits (64.5%) were the most common presenting features. Among patients with high-grade tumors, mean duration of illness was 106.03 ± 162.16 days, median functional status was Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score 50, mean tumor size was 110.22 ± 46.16 cm3, and median magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) score was 17. Among patients with low-grade astrocytomas, mean duration of illness was 213.03 ± 344.93 days, median functional status was KPS score 40, mean tumor size was 53.49 ± 54.96 cm3 and median MRI score was 9. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) (71%) and diffuse astrocytoma (22.6%) were the predominant histological subtypes. The median Ki-67 proliferative index was 6% for pilocytic astrocytoma, 1.6% for diffuse astrocytoma, and 60% for GBM. Systemic and regional surgical complications occurred in 6.5% and 38.7% of patients, respectively. In-hospital mortality was 19.4% and increased to 25.8% at 12 weeks. The KPS score at discharge was 50 and improved to 60 at 12 weeks. Only 9.7% of patients had acceptable functional status at 12 weeks follow-up. Conclusions: In this locality, headache, focal neurological deficits, and reduced functional status are the most common presenting features of astrocytomas while GBM is the most common histological subtype. Tumors are highly proliferative and in the short-term, both surgical and functional outcome are suboptimal.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Bruun Larsen ◽  
Jens Sondergaard ◽  
Janus Laust Thomsen ◽  
Anders Halling ◽  
Anders Larrabee Sønderlund ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND During recent years, stepwise approaches to health checks have been advanced as an alternative to general health checks. In 2013, we set up the Early Detection and Prevention project (Tidlig Opsporing og Forebyggelse, TOF) to develop a stepwise approach aimed at patients at high or moderate risk of a chronic disease. A novel feature was the use of a personal digital mailbox for recruiting participants. A personal digital mailbox is a secure digital mailbox provided by the Danish public authorities. Apart from being both safe and secure, it is a low-cost, quick, and easy way to reach Danish residents. OBJECTIVE In this study we analyze the association between the rates of acceptance of 2 digital invitations sent to a personal digital mailbox and the sociodemographic determinants, medical treatment, and health care usage in a stepwise primary care model for the prevention of chronic diseases. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the rates of acceptance of 2 digital invitations sent to randomly selected residents born between 1957 and 1986 and residing in 2 Danish municipalities. The outcome was acceptance of the 2 digital invitations. Statistical associations were determined by Poisson regression. Data-driven chi-square automatic interaction detection method was used to generate a decision tree analysis, predicting acceptance of the digital invitations. RESULTS A total of 8814 patients received an invitation in their digital mailbox from 47 general practitioners. A total of 40.22% (3545/8814) accepted the first digital invitation, and 30.19 % (2661/8814) accepted both digital invitations. The rates of acceptance of both digital invitations were higher among women, older patients, patients of higher socioeconomic status, and patients not diagnosed with or being treated for diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first study to report on the rates of acceptance of digital invitations to participate in a stepwise model for prevention of chronic diseases. More studies of digital invitations are needed to determine if the acceptance rates seen in this study should be expected from future studies as well. Similarly, more research is needed to determine whether a multimodal recruitment approach, including digital invitations to personal digital mailboxes will reach hard-to-reach subpopulations more effectively than digital invitations only.


2019 ◽  
Vol 101-B (8) ◽  
pp. 941-950 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. E H. Scott ◽  
D. J. MacDonald ◽  
C. R. Howie

Aims The EuroQol five-dimension (EQ-5D) questionnaire is a widely used multiattribute general health questionnaire where an EQ-5D < 0 defines a state ‘worse than death’ (WTD). The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of patients awaiting total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in a health state WTD and to identify associations with this state. Secondary aims were to examine the effect of WTD status on one-year outcomes. Patients and Methods A cross-sectional analysis of 2073 patients undergoing 2073 THAs (mean age 67.4 years (sd 11.6; 14 to 95); mean body mass index (BMI) 28.5 kg/m2 (sd 5.7; 15 to 72); 1253 female (60%)) and 2168 patients undergoing 2168 TKAs (mean age 69.3 years (sd 9.6; 22 to 91); BMI 30.8 kg/m2 (sd 5.8; 13 to 57); 1244 female (57%)) were recorded. Univariate analysis was used to identify variables associated with an EQ-5D score < 0: age, BMI, sex, deprivation quintile, comorbidities, and joint-specific function measured using the Oxford Hip Score (OHS) or Oxford Knee Score (OKS). Multivariate logistic regression was performed. EQ-5D and OHS/OKS were repeated one year following surgery in 1555 THAs and 1700 TKAs. Results Preoperatively, 391 THA patients (19%) and 263 TKA patients (12%) were WTD. Multivariate analysis identified preoperative OHS, deprivation, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in THA, and OKS, peripheral arterial disease, and inflammatory arthropathy in TKA as independently associated with WTD status (p < 0.05). One year following arthroplasty EQ-5D scores improved significantly (p < 0.001) and WTD rates reduced to 35 (2%) following THA and 53 (3%) following TKA. Patients who were WTD preoperatively achieved significantly (p < 0.001) worse joint-specific Oxford scores and satisfaction rates one year following joint arthroplasty, compared with those not WTD preoperatively. Conclusion In total, 19% of patients awaiting THA and 12% awaiting TKA for degenerative joint disease are in a health state WTD. Although specific comorbidities contribute to this, hip- or knee-specific function, mainly pain, appear key determinants and can be reliably reversed with an arthroplasty. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:941–950.


2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 2078-2078 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Raval ◽  
S. Hwang ◽  
L. Dorsett

2078 Background: Primary GBM exhibits overexpression or amplification of the epidermal growth factor gene. The effectiveness of bevacizumab and irinotecan in pts with relapsed GBM was first reported in 2005 (Stark-Vance, et al, Neuro-Oncol, 2005). In this report, we assess the effects of combination of bevacizumab and irinotecan on overall responses, toxicity, cognitive function and functional status in recurrent GBM pts. Methods: From August 2005 to December 2006, 22 consecutive GBM pts failed > 1 prior chemotherapy with measurable disease on MRI were included. Each patient received bevacizumab 5mg/kg IV and irinotecan 125mg/m2 IV infusion every 2 weeks until disease progression or developed unacceptable toxicity. The response was determined by MRI every 2 cycles. Cognitive function was assessed by Blessed Orientation-Memory-Concentration Test (BOMC) and functional status was assessed by Karnofsky performance status (KPS), Barthel Index (BI) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) prior to each cycle of treatment. Descriptive statistics analysis was used. Results: All pts failed temozolomide and radiation therapy; 1 pt had prior BCNU and 2 pts had prior irinotecan treatment. The median (M) age was 55 years (37-77) with pre treatment M KPS 80 (40–80), BOMC 7 (0–28), BI 85 (10–100) and IADL 6 (0–17); 12 pts exhibited mild (3 pts), moderate (7 pts) to severe (2 pts) cognitive impairment. The M number of cycles received was 8 (2–27); 21 pts are evaluable for MRI responses with 95.2% response rate (2CR’s + 14PR’s + 4 minimal responses). Seven pts have expired; the M length of survival was 4.6 months (range 1.1–15.4+) and the M time to progression was 3 months (0.5–13.8+). There were only two grade 3 thrombocytopenia and one grade 3 neutropenia. Improvement in BOMC score was seen in 15 pts (62%) with M improvement of 7 point. Improvement in functional status was seen in 18 pts (85.7%) with M improvement in KPS by 10 point, BI by 8 points and IADL by 2 point. Conclusions: The combination of bevacizumab and irinotecan is well tolerated and safe. The overall response rate was 95.2% and significant improvements in cognitive functional and functional status were demonstrated. The longer follow up will determine the impact of this most active combination. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi161-vi161
Author(s):  
Kayla Roche ◽  
Elizabeth Vera ◽  
Alvina Acquaye ◽  
Nicole Briceno ◽  
Anna Choi ◽  
...  

Abstract Cross-sectional studies indicate that patients with gliomas report significant depressive/anxiety symptoms and symptom-related interference with daily activities at diagnosis and throughout the illness trajectory. Our study aimed to explore relationships between these mood disturbances and symptom interference with respect to progressive disease (PD) in glioma patients. Demographic, clinical characteristics, MDASI-Brain Tumor (interference items), and PROMIS Anxiety and Depression Short-Forms were collected at the time of imaging surveillance, before discussing imaging results. Comparisons between patients with/without PD and respective change scores were calculated at study entry and at subsequent assessments. Independent t-tests, Chi-square tests, and paired sample t-tests were used to report results. The sample included 438 glioma patients (62% male, 84% Caucasian, 82% high-grade) with median age of 51 years (range 18-82); 42% had PD with 60% reporting past recurrence(s); 45% had poor Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS); and median time from diagnosis was 2 years (range: 0-30). On average, patients with PD on imaging at time of assessment reported significantly greater anxiety (p = 0.008), depression (p &lt; 0.001), and symptom interference (p &lt; 0.001) than those with stable disease. Additionally, more patients with PD reported moderate-severe anxiety (25%) and depression (22%) than patients with stable disease (15% and 12%, respectively). When evaluating change scores, patients with PD reported worse symptom interference (p &lt; 0.001) but stable mood disturbance, while patients with stable disease reported improved depression (p = 0.018) and unchanged anxiety symptoms compared to baseline. Although mood disturbance is higher for patients with PD, some of these patients do not experience worsening, but rather a continuation of ongoing psychological symptoms, which may portend a worse illness trajectory. Identifying these patients early in this trajectory to evaluate potential biologic correlates between mood and prognosis is warranted to validate these findings.


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