Impact of the Karnofsky Performance Status on Survival and its Dynamics during the Terminal Year of Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Paula Modesto ◽  
Len Usvyat ◽  
Viviane Calice-Silva ◽  
Dandara Novakowski Spigolon ◽  
Ana Elizabeth Figueiredo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Independent Predictor ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Status ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Multi Center Study ◽  
Complications And Mortality ◽  
First Time

Background Simple and low-cost tools to monitor the risk profile of patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) at high risk of complications and mortality are scarce. One of the tools available to monitor the variation in vitality and dependence levels is the Karnofsky performance status (KPS). This study analyzed the average trends and variation of KPS during the 12 months before death and its independent value in predicting patients’ survival. Methods The data were compiled from the BRAZPD II multi-center study, performed in Brazil between 2004 and 2011. For the analysis of KPS dynamics, we included patients with at least 12 months of follow-up on PD and who had a fatal event during the follow-up. The following covariables were evaluated: age, gender, ethnicity, educational level, and presence of diabetes. We used the linear regression model to present the results: the log (time) before death was represented by the regression variable and KPS was the response. We also analyzed the independent impact of baseline KPS on patients’ survival. Results From the population of 9,905 patients enrolled in the BRAZPD study, 4,133 survived 12 months on PD and were included in the analysis. There was a gradual decline in the KPS scores, which accelerated in the last 2 months before death. These changes were similar irrespective of age, race, family income, gender, diabetes, PD modality, and education level. We observed 989 fatal events in this population during the observation period, and the KPS score was identified as an independent predictor for mortality in this cohort. Conclusions This study demonstrates for the first time the dynamics of KPS before death in PD patients, indicating a progressive and accelerated decline of KPS in the 12 months before patients died. In addition, KPS was an independent predictor of mortality in this population.

scholarly journals Functional Outcome Following Synthetic Vertebral Body Implantation in the Management of Spinal Disorders

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (B) ◽  
pp. 76-80
Author(s):  
Moneer K. Faraj ◽  
Bassam Mahmood Flamerz  Arkawazi ◽  
Hazim Moojid Abbas ◽  
Zaid Al-Attar
Keyword(s):  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Vertebral Body ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Status ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Spinal Tuberculosis ◽  
Vertebral Body Replacement ◽  
Spinal Tumors ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Status Scale ◽  
Significant Change

OBJECTIVE: Synthetic vertebral body replacement has been widely used recently to treat different spinal conditions affecting the anterior column. They arrange from trauma, infections, and even tumor conditions. In this study, we assess the functional outcome of this modality in different spinal conditions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-six cases operated from October 2010 to December 2017. Twelve patients had spinal type A3 fractures, 11 cases with spinal tuberculosis (TB), and 13 cases with spinal tumors. They were followed clinically for a mean period of 2.4 years. RESULTS: All the cases were approached anteriorly. Seven cases had a post-operative infection. No neurological worsening reported. We had dramatic neurological improvement in all spinal TB cases. Mortality recorded in only 4 cases with metastatic spinal tumor during the mean period of follow-up. Karnofsky performance status scale showed statistically significant change for spinal TB, and tumor cases during the follow-up period, but there was no significant change in cases of spinal type A3 fractures. CONCLUSION: The positive outcome of this surgery makes it recommended for properly selected patients, especially with spinal TB and tumors.

Radiosurgery for parasagittal and parafalcine meningiomas

2013 ◽  
Vol 119 (4) ◽  
pp. 871-877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dale Ding ◽  
Zhiyuan Xu ◽  
Ian T. McNeill ◽  
Chun-Po Yen ◽  
Jason P. Sheehan
Keyword(s):  
Cox Regression ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Status ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Tumor Control ◽  
Who Grade ◽  
Tumor Control Rate ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Status Score ◽  
Status Score ◽  
Performance Status Score

Object Parasagittal and parafalcine (PSPF) meningiomas represent the second most common location for intracranial meningiomas. Involvement of the superior sagittal sinus or deep draining veins may prevent gross-total resection of these tumors without significant morbidity. The authors review their results for treatment of PSPF meningiomas with radiosurgery. Methods The authors retrospectively reviewed the institutional review board–approved University of Virginia Gamma Knife database and identified 65 patients with 90 WHO Grade I parasagittal (59%) and parafalcine (41%) meningiomas who had a mean MRI follow-up of 56.6 months. The patients' mean age was 57 years, the median preradiosurgery Karnofsky Performance Status score was 80, and the median initial tumor and treatment volumes were 3 and 3.7 cm3, respectively. The median prescription dose was 15 Gy, isodose line was 40%, and the number of isocenters was 5. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to determine progression-free survival (PFS). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with PFS. Results The median overall PFS was 75.6 months. The actuarial tumor control rate was 85% at 3 years and 70% at 5 years. Parasagittal location, no prior resection, and younger age were found to be independent predictors of tumor PFS. For the 49 patients with clinical follow-up (mean 70.8 months), the median postradiosurgery Karnofsky Performance Status score was 90. Symptomatic postradiosurgery peritumoral edema was observed in 4 patients (8.2%); this group comprised 3 patients (6.1%) with temporary and 1 patient (2%) with permanent clinical sequelae. Two patients (4.1%) died of tumor progression. Conclusions Radiosurgery offers a minimally invasive treatment option for PSPF meningiomas, with a good tumor control rate and an acceptable complication rate comparable to most surgical series.

Ciprofloxacin and Cefazolin as a Combination for Empirical Initial Therapy of Peritoneal Dialysis-Related Peritonitis: Five-year Follow-up

2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata C.S. Lima ◽  
André Barreira ◽  
Fernando L. Cardoso ◽  
Marcio H.S. Lima ◽  
Maurilo Leite
Keyword(s):  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Initial Therapy ◽  
Careful Examination ◽  
Dialysis Unit ◽  
Therapeutic Trials ◽  
First Choice ◽  
Oral Ciprofloxacin

The treatment of peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis has been a matter of extensive investigation, frequently generating therapeutic trials. Several combinations of antibiotics have served as newer protocols and tended to be efficacious, comfortable, and cost-effective. According to the more recent recommendations from the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis, the rationale for empirical initial therapy of clinically detected peritonitis in PD patients has been to follow the bacterial profile derived from cultured specimens of PD effluents. The current study describes 5 year's experience with the use of a new antibiotic regimen for the treatment of peritonitis. We herein analyze the outcome of 95 episodes of peritonitis in 54 patients on either automated PD or continuous ambulatory PD at the dialysis unit of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis was treated with the combination of oral ciprofloxacin and intraperitoneal cefazolin. The observed cure rate was 85.2% and the sensitivity test was observed to be positive for this combination of antibiotics in 88.9% of positive cultures. Of the 14 unsuccessful episodes, 7 were due to catheter colonization and the rest did not respond to the proposed therapy within 48 hours. These 7 cases were also related to peritoneal fluid cultures that were resistant to both ciprofloxacin and cefazolin. From this study, we propose this combination of oral ciprofloxacin and intraperitoneal cefazolin as a first choice for empirical initial therapy of PD-related peritonitis, given its efficacy and low cost. However, in order to apply the most adequate cost-effective therapy, careful examination of the bacterial profile and sensitivities to antibiotics used in each unit is strongly recommended.

scholarly journals Comparative Analysis of Subventricular Zone Glioblastoma Contact and Ventricular Entry During Resection in Predicting Dissemination, Hydrocephalus, and Survival

Neurosurgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 85 (5) ◽  
pp. E924-E932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akshitkumar M Mistry ◽  
Patrick D Kelly ◽  
Jean-Nicolas Gallant ◽  
Nishit Mummareddy ◽  
Bret C Mobley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subventricular Zone ◽  
Independent Predictor ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Status ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Extent Of Resection ◽  
Outcome Analysis ◽  
Leptomeningeal Dissemination ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Status Score ◽  
Radiation Treatments ◽  
Distant Tumor

Abstract BACKGROUND Ventricular entry during glioblastoma resection and tumor contact with the subventricular zone (SVZ) have both been shown to associate with development of hydrocephalus, leptomeningeal dissemination, distant parenchymal recurrence, and decreased survival. However, prior studies did not analyze these variables together in a single-patient population; therefore, it is unknown which is an independent predictor of these outcomes. OBJECTIVE To conduct a comparative outcome analysis of surgical ventricular entry and SVZ contact by glioblastoma in a retrospective cohort of 232 patients. METHODS Outcomes studied included hydrocephalus, leptomeningeal dissemination, distant tumor recurrences, and progression-free (PFS) and overall (OS) survival. The Cox proportional regression analyses were adjusted for age at diagnosis, preoperative Karnofsky performance status score, extent of resection, temozolomide and radiation treatments, and tumor molecular status (specifically, IDH1/2 mutation and MGMT promoter methylation). RESULTS Surgical ventricular entry, SVZ-contacting glioblastoma, hydrocephalus, leptomeningeal dissemination, and distant recurrences were observed in 85 (36.6%), 114 (49.1%), 19 (8.2%), 78 (33.6%), and 59 (25.4%) patients, respectively. Multivariate, adjusted analysis revealed SVZ tumor contact—but not ventricular entry—associated with hydrocephalus (hazard ratio, HR, 4.20 [1.13-15.7], P = .03), leptomeningeal dissemination (HR 1.93 [1.14-3.28], P = .01), PFS (HR 2.10 [1.53-2.88], P < .001), and OS (HR 1.90 [1.35-2.67], P < .001). Distant recurrences were not associated with either. No interaction between the 2 variables was statistically noted. CONCLUSION SVZ contact by glioblastoma was independently associated with the development of hydrocephalus, leptomeningeal dissemination, and decreased survival. SVZ tumor contact was associated with ventricular entry during surgical resections, which did not independently correlate with these outcomes.

Equivalent Outcome Between Reduced Intensity Versus Conventional Myeloablative Conditioning Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Patients Older Than 35 Years with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 3103-3103
Author(s):  
Marie Sebert ◽  
Raphaël Porcher ◽  
Marie Robin ◽  
Lionel Ades ◽  
Emmanuel Raffoux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Status ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Conditioning Regimen ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Treatment Related Mortality ◽  
Related Mortality

Abstract Abstract 3103 Introduction: Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) provides the best chance of long-term survival for patients with intermediate or high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The major limitation of this procedure is the risk of treatment related mortality (TRM). Use of reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) regimen has become standard practice among older candidates with comorbidities. Although RIC regimen have been used for over a decade in older patients, the benefit of this approach in younger patients with AML compared with the risk of toxicity of standard regimen (MAC) is still discussed. We compared the outcomes for patients with AML over 35 years using RIC or MAC HSCT. Patients, methods, and transplantation characteristics: From January 2000 to December 2010, 132 consecutive patients older than 35 years with AML (18 secondary AML) received HSCT in our center, either from siblings (n=87) or HLA 10/10 allele-matched donors (n=45). MAC (n=72) and RIC (n=60) regimens were defined as previously described (Bacigalupo, 2009). Seventy-three patients were in first complete remission (CR1); 30% of patients had poor risk cytogenetics (MRC classification). Karnofsky performance status was scored at time of HSCT. Engraftment, acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), transplantation-related mortality (TRM), relapse rate as well as overall survival (OS) at 4 years were compared according to the intensity of the conditioning regimen. First a classical multivariable Cox analysis was conducted. In a second step, baseline confounding factors were adjusted for using inverse probability-of-treatment weighting (IPTW). Results of the comparison: Patient characteristics according to the intensity of the conditioning regimen were similar for AML type (de novo versus secondary), gender, karnofsky performance status, CR#, donor type and number of CD34+ infused. Particularly, cytogenetic risks were comparable in both groups. Patients were younger in the MAC group (median age 44 years [range 35 to 56 years] vs 54[37 to 66] for RIC, p<0,0001), received mainly bone marrow as source of stem cells (54% versus 2% for RIC, p<0,0001) and GvHD prophylaxis using cyclosporine plus methotrexate (89% versus 5% for RIC, p<0,0001). Moreover, ATG in the conditioning regimen (more ATG in RIC: 51 vs. 14%, p<0.0001), donor age (older for RIC: 49 vs. 39 years, p=0.002) and number of nucleated cells infused (higher in RIC: 11 vs. 4 × 108/kg, p<0.0001) were also different. The median follow-up was 47 months (10 to 134), and 25% of patients had a follow-up of at least 74 months. During evolution, all patients engrafted. The cumulative incidence (CIf) of acute GVHD grade II-IV was 49% (35% after RIC vs 61% after MAC, p=0.001). The 5-year CIf of chronic GVHD was 37% (40% after RIC vs 30% after MAC, p=0.32). During FU, 71 patients died. The 5-year CIf of TRM was 21% (13% after RIC vs 28% after MAC, p=0.009). Adjusting for cytogenetic risk, gender donor/recipient mismatch and infused nucleated cells, no difference was observed between RIC and MAC (HR 0.9, p=0.16). The 5-year CIf of relapse was 42% (51% after RIC vs 35% after MAC (p=0.22)). Adjusting for gender donor/recipient mismatch, donor/recipient CMV serostatus and infused CD34+ cells, no marked difference was observed between RIC and MAC (HR 0.8, 95%CI 0.4–1.5, p=0.50). The 5-year OS was 39% (50% after RIC vs 34% after MAC, p=0.38). Using both Cox regression and IPTW to account for imbalance in patients characteristics, similar OS was found after RIC and MAC (Figure 1), with adjusted HRs for MAC vs RIC of 0.9 (95%CI 0.4–1.8, p=0.68) with Cox regression and 0.9 (95%CI 0.4–1.8, p=0.76) with IPTW. Conclusion: In patients with AML over 35 years, MAC regimen lead to a non significant higher rate of treatment related mortality with no benefit in terms of relapse when compared with RIC regimen. Until prospective trials are completed, this study supports the use of a RIC regimen for patients with AML older than 35 years who are transplanted either from siblings or matched unrelated donors. Disclosures: Fenaux: Amgen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding; Roche: Honoraria, Research Funding; GSK: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding.

scholarly journals Epidermoid cysts of the cavernous sinus: clinical features, surgical outcomes, and literature review

2018 ◽  
Vol 129 (4) ◽  
pp. 973-983 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Zhou ◽  
Zixiao Yang ◽  
Wei Zhu ◽  
Liang Chen ◽  
Jianping Song ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cavernous Sinus ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Status ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Symptomatic Improvement ◽  
Subtotal Resection ◽  
Imaging Data ◽  
Epidermoid Cysts ◽  
The Past

OBJECTIVEEpidermoid cysts of the cavernous sinus (CS) are rare, and no large case series of these lesions has been reported. In this study, the authors retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of the surgical management of CS epidermoid cysts undertaken at their center and performed a review of any such cysts reported in the literature over the past 40 years.METHODSClinical data were obtained on 31 patients with CS epidermoid cysts that had been surgically treated at the authors’ hospital between 2001 and 2016. The patients’ medical records, imaging data, and follow-up outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. The related literature from the past 40 years (18 articles, 20 patients) was also evaluated.RESULTSThe most common chief complaints were facial numbness or hypesthesia (64.5%), absent corneal reflex (45.2%), and abducens or oculomotor nerve deficit (35.5%). On MRI, 51.6% of the epidermoid cysts showed low T1 signals and equal or high T2 signals. In the other lesions, the radiological findings varied considerably given differences in the composition of the cysts. Surgery was performed via the extradural approach (58.1%), intradural approach (32.3%), or a combined approach (9.7%). After the operation, symptoms remained similar or improved in 90.3% of patients and new oculomotor paralysis developed after the operation in 9.7% of patients. Seven patients (22.6%) developed meningitis postoperatively (5 aseptic and 2 septic), and all of them recovered. All patients achieved good recovery before discharge (Karnofsky Performance Status score ≥ 70). Over an average follow-up of 4.6 ± 3.0 years in 25 patients (80.6%), no recurrence or reoperation occurred, regardless of whether total or subtotal resection of the capsule had been achieved.CONCLUSIONSBoth the extradural and intradural approaches can enable satisfactory lesion resection. A favorable prognosis and symptomatic improvement can be expected after both total and subtotal capsule resections. Total capsule resection is encouraged to minimize the possibility of recurrence provided that the resection can be safely performed.

A phase II safety study of bevacizumab in patients with multiple recurrent or progressive malignant gliomas

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 2079-2079 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Raizer ◽  
L. Gallot ◽  
R. Cohn ◽  
J. Chandler ◽  
R. Levy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Karnofsky Performance Status ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Malignant Gliomas ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Median Number ◽  
Mcdonald Criteria ◽  
Normal Urine

2079 Introduction: Available treatment options for patients with recurrent MG are few. Recent trends have used target specific agents but none has been effective to date. A single agent trial was designed to determine the safety and efficacy of bevacizumab in patients with recurrent MG. Recently, bevacizumab and CPT-11 in combination have shown response rates of approximately 60%. Patients and Methods: All patients (pts) had to sign an IRB informed consent. All pts had to have at least two relapses. Pts had to be > 18 year of age with Karnofsky performance status of > 60. Adequate bone marrow, liver and renal function was required, as well as normal urine protein and creatinine. Patients were required to be on a non-enzyme inducing anti-convulsants. An MRI with perfusion was done at baseline (if patient consented) and then every 6 weeks. Patients continued on trial as long as they did not have tumor progression. Patients received bevacizumab 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks as a 60–90 minute infusion. Results: To date, 16 pts with recurrent MG have been treated. 14 pts had a glioblastoma (GBM) and 2 had an anaplastic oligodendroglioma (AO). Median number of doses given was 3 (range 1–12). No patient had an intracranial hemorrhage and the only significant toxicity was a DVT in a patient with prior DVT. Best responses per McDonald criteria were: PR in 2 pts, SD in 4 pts, PD in 3 pts and non-evaluable in 7 pts: 4 follow up imaging not done, 1 each with stable MRI after 2 doses but WD for non-compliance, clinical decline and patient’s choice. Results: Bevacizumab as a single agent given every 3 weeks at 15 mg/kg is safe. Partial responses and stable disease were seen in about 30 % of patients with follow up imaging but many patients are early in treatment. Our response rates to date are lower then previous reports of patients treated with CPT-11 and bevacizumab; this maybe due to the increased number of prior therapies, a different schedule of bevacizumab or the omission of CPT-11. Updated response rates, time to progression and overall survival will be presented. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.

IMMU-26. SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF PVSRIPO IN RECURRENT GLIOBLASTOMA: LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP AND INITIAL MULTICENTER RESULTS

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi97-vi97
Author(s):  
Annick Desjardins ◽  
Matthias Gromeier ◽  
Henry Friedman ◽  
Daniel Landi ◽  
Allan Friedman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Karnofsky Performance Status ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Recurrent Glioblastoma ◽  
External Control ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Single Center ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Long Term Survival

Abstract BACKGROUND Recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM) is rapidly fatal (median overall survival [mOS] of ~9 months; OS at 12 months [OS12] &lt; 35%) with approved therapies (lomustine±bevacizumab). PVSRIPO is an intratumoral immunotherapy targeting CD155 on antigen-presenting and malignant cells of solid tumors. Preclinically, PVSRIPO delivers a systemic, tumor antigen-specific, polyfunctional T-cell mediated anti-tumor response. Interim, single-center, phase (Ph) 1 results showed greater long-term survival with PVSRIPO vs. criteria-matched external control rGBM patients (Desjardins 2018). Updates to Ph1 safety (at the Ph2 dose) and efficacy and interim multicenter (Ph2) results are presented. METHODS Adults with histologically-confirmed rGBM, Karnofsky performance status ≥ 70, and an active, supratentorial, contrast-enhancing lesion (1-5.5cm) received PVSRIPO (5x107 TCID50) intratumorally via convection-enhanced delivery on Day 1, with a planned follow-up of 24 months. Safety (treatment-emergent adverse events [TEAEs]), efficacy (reported as OS12, OS24, mOS), and blood/tissue were assessed. RESULTS 149 patients (&gt;90% with 1-2 prior progressions, including failure of SOC and patients with prior bevacizumab failure) received the Ph2 dose of PVSRIPO (n=30 received other doses in Ph1 with safety summarized previously). Follow-up durations for surviving patients were 51-74 months (Ph1) and 10-44 months (Ph2). No dose-limiting toxicities occurred; up to 97% of patients experienced mostly grade 1-2 related TEAEs; ≤ 23% patients experienced grade ≥ 3 related events. Neurologic symptoms related to peritumoral edema were most common ( &gt; 90% patients) and were effectively managed with low-dose bevacizumab/corticosteroids. Survival estimates were: OS12: 54%, 50%; OS24: 18%, 17%; mOS: 12.3 (95% CI 10,15.3), 12 (10.6,13.7) months, for the Ph1 and Ph2 trials, respectively. Baseline correlates of longer survival included smaller lesions and methylated MGMT-promoter status. CONCLUSIONS The multicenter/Ph2 study replicated the single-center/Ph1 results. Relative to published data with approved therapies, PVSRIPO was associated with greater long-term survival and mOS in patients with rGBM and was generally well-tolerated.

scholarly journals Physician Empathy Interacts with Breaking Bad News in Predicting Lung Cancer and Pleural Mesothelioma Patient Survival: Timing May Be Crucial

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Lelorain ◽  
Alexis Cortot ◽  
Véronique Christophe ◽  
Claire Pinçon ◽  
Yori Gidron
Keyword(s):  
Cox Regression ◽  
Patient Survival ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Status ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Bad News ◽  
Breaking Bad ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Thoracic Cancer ◽  
Physician Empathy

This study is the first to examine the prognostic role of physician empathy in interaction with the type of consultation (TC) (TC, bad news versus follow-up consultations) in cancer patient survival. Between January 2015 and March 2016, 179 outpatients with thoracic cancer and a Karnofsky performance status ≥60 assessed their oncologist’s empathy using the CARE questionnaire, which provides a general score and two sub-dimensions: listening/compassion and active/positive empathy. Survival was recorded until April 2018. Usual medical, social and psychological confounders were included in the Cox regression. The median follow-up time was 3.1 years. There was a statistical interaction between listening/compassion empathy and TC (p = 0.016) such that in bad news consultations, higher listening/compassion predicted a higher risk of death (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.13; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03–1.23; p = 0.008). In follow-up consultations, listening/compassion did not predict survival (HR = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.85–1.05; p = 0.30). The same results were found with the general score of empathy, but not with active/positive empathy. In bad news consultations, high patient-perceived physician compassion could worry patients by conveying the idea that there is no longer any hope, which could hasten death. Further studies are warranted to confirm these results and find out the determinants of patient perception of physician empathy.

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