Sex Differences in Patients Who Have Cancer with Mild Anemia: Symptom Burden and Quality of Life

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 241-246
Author(s):  
Lee S. Schwartzberg ◽  
Barry V. Fortner ◽  
Arthur C. Houts
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Mild Anemia

scholarly journals Assessment of Sex Differences in the Initial Symptom Burden, Applied Treatment Strategy, and Quality of Life in Japanese Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. e191145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobuhiro Ikemura ◽  
Shun Kohsaka ◽  
Takehiro Kimura ◽  
Ikuko Ueda ◽  
Yoshinori Katsumata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Treatment Strategy ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Japanese Patients ◽  
Initial Symptom

Clinical Significance of Symptom Burden and Quality of Life Decrement in Cancer Patients with Mild Anemia.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 5305-5305
Author(s):  
Lee S. Schwartzberg ◽  
Barry V. Fortner ◽  
Arthur C. Houts
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Clinical Significance ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Mild Anemia ◽  
Cohen’S D ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Background. Cancer related anemia (CRA) is associated with increased symptom burden and reduced quality of life (QoL) compared to non-anemic subjects. Standard treatment guidelines for CRA recomend treatment when hemoglobin (Hb) declines to ≤ 10 g/dl. We compared patients with mild anemia to those with normal Hb level to assess clinical significance of mild anemia. Methods. 3416 patients from a large community oncology database sorted by gender and Hb were retrospectively reviewed. Patients receiving chemotherapy (<30 days) and/or growth factor (< 60 days) were excluded. Each case provided one Hb determination and same day self reported scores on the Cancer Care Monitor (CCM), a validated measure of symptom burden, functioning, and health related QoL comprising 6 scales. All CCM items are rated for symptom severity on a 0–10 scale. Effect sizes for male groups are calculated relative to normal males (Hb > 14), and effect sizes for females are calculated relative to normal females (Hb > 12). Positive effect size (Cohen’s exact d) values indicate greater symptom burden, and negative effect size values indicate lower quality of life. Results. Group differences on CCM measures were not accounted for by demographic, cancer diagnosis, and chemotherapy history differences. Table 1 shows a pattern of greater symptom burden, lower functioning, and worse QOL for males and females with mild anemia (p < .05). As compared to standards for minimal clinically important differences such as found with SF-36 (0.09 < Cohen’s d < 0.28). patients with mild anemia showed clinically significant differences in terms of effect size (0.11 < Cohen’s d < 0.61). Conclusions. The QoL impact of mild CRA is significant and failure to treat mild anemia may result in unnecessary symptom burden and noteworthy decrements in health related quality of life. Differences in QoL for Patients with Mild Anemia M Hb12<14 M Hb >14 Effect Size F Hb 10<12 F Hb >12 Effect Size Cancer Care Monitor Measure* (n = 327) (n = 471) Males (n = 449) (n = 2169) Females Note. *Mean (SE) for each item or scale. Adjusted means with different subscripts across rows are significantly different (p < .05) by Bryant Paulson comparisons. Fatigue Item 3.10 (0.16) b 2.27 (0.13) c 0.30 3.47 (0.13) b 2.65 (0.06) d 0.30 Physical Symptoms 49.54 (0.58) b 45.49 (0.48) c 0.38 49.32 (0.49) b 46.97 (0.22) d 0.22 General Distress 49.51 (0.57) b 47.07 (0.47) d 0.19 51.23 (0.49) c 49.85 (0.22) b 0.11 Despair 50.74 (0.52) b 48.58 (0.43) c 0.25 50.37 (0.44) b 49.13 (0.19) c 0.14 Impaired Performance 55.55 (0.87) b 49.78 (0.70) c 0.61 55.02 (0.73) b 49.90 (0.32) c 0.48 Quality of Life 49.41 (0.79) b 53.46 (0.64) c −0.45 48.95 (0.67) b 52.39 (0.29) c −0.35

The effectiveness of hope-fostering interventions in palliative care: A systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 026921632199472
Author(s):  
Natalia Salamanca-Balen ◽  
Thomas V Merluzzi ◽  
Man Chen
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Spiritual Well Being ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Background: The concept of hope is an important theme in chronic illness and palliative care and has been associated with increased psycho-spiritual well-being and quality of life. Psycho-spiritual interventions have been described in this population, but no systematic review of hope-enhancing interventions or hopelessness-reducing interventions has been conducted for persons with palliative care diseases. Aim: To describe and assess the effectiveness of interventions in palliative care that measure hope and/or hopelessness as an outcome. Design: This systematic review and meta-analysis was pre-registered (Prospero ID: CRD42019119956). Data sources: Electronic databases, journals, and references were searched. We used the Cochrane criteria to assess the risk of bias within studies. Results: Thirty-five studies (24 randomized controlled trials, 5 quasi-experimental, 6 pre-post studies) involving a total of 3296 palliative care patients were included. Compared with usual/standard cancer care alone, interventions significantly increased hope levels at a medium effect size ( g = 0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.28–0.93) but did not significantly reduce hopelessness ( g = −0.08, 95% CI = −0.18 to 0.02). It was found that interventions significantly increase spirituality ( g = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.02–1.37) and decrease depression ( g = −0.29, 95% CI = −0.51 to −0.07), but had no significant effect over anxiety, quality of life, and symptom burden. Overall, quality of evidence across the included studies was rated as low. Conclusions: Evidence suggests that interventions can be effective in increasing hope in palliative care patients.

scholarly journals Tobacco use in the Myeloproliferative neoplasms: symptom burden, patient opinions, and care

BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah F. Christensen ◽  
Robyn M. Scherber ◽  
Gina L. Mazza ◽  
Amylou C. Dueck ◽  
Nana Brochmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Myeloproliferative Neoplasms ◽  
Myeloproliferative Neoplasm ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Symptom Assessment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Former Smokers ◽  
Never Smokers

Abstract Background Patients with Philadelphia-negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN) suffer from numerous symptoms and decreased quality of life. Smoking is associated with an increased symptom burden in several malignancies. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between smoking and MPN-related symptom burden and explore MPN patients’ opinions on smoking. Methods A total of 435 patients with MPN participated in a cross-sectional internet-based survey developed by the Mayo Clinic and the Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Quality of Life Group. Patients reported their demographics, disease characteristics, tobacco use, and opinions on tobacco use. In addition, MPN-related symptoms were reported via the validated 10-item version of the Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Symptom Assessment Form. Results Current/former smokers reported worse fatigue (mean severity 5.6 vs. 5.0, p = 0.02) and inactivity (mean severity 4.0 vs. 3.4, p = 0.03) than never smokers. Moreover, current/former smokers more frequently experienced early satiety (68.5% vs. 58.3%, p = 0.03), inactivity (79.9% vs. 71.1%, p = 0.04), and concentration difficulties (82.1% vs. 73.1%, p = 0.04). Although not significant, a higher total symptom burden was observed for current/former smokers (mean 30.4 vs. 27.0, p = 0.07). Accordingly, overall quality of life was significantly better among never smokers than current/former smokers (mean 3.5 vs. 3.9, p = 0.03). Only 43.2% of the current/former smokers reported having discussed tobacco use with their physician, and 17.5% did not believe smoking increased the risk of thrombosis. Conclusion The current study suggests that smoking may be associated with increased prevalence and severity of MPN symptoms and underscores the need to enhance patient education and address tobacco use in the care of MPN patients.

The Impact of Symptom Burden on Patient Quality of Life in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Oncology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 133-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Cella ◽  
Cindy J. Nowinski ◽  
Olga Frankfurt
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
The Impact

Integrative medicine and plasma cell disorders.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e20044-e20044
Author(s):  
Onyemaechi Okolo ◽  
Betsy C. Wertheim ◽  
Ashley Larsen ◽  
Nathan W. Sweeney ◽  
Krisstina L. Gowin
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Integrative Medicine ◽  
Plasma Cell ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Disease Stage ◽  
Breathing Exercises ◽  
Plasma Cell Disorders

e20044 Background: Recent advancements in the treatment of plasma cell disorders (PCD) have led to a revolution in treatment options. Despite improved outcomes, patients have unmet symptom management needs. Integrative medicine (IM) is a method for addressing symptoms in cancer, but its use and efficacy is poorly defined in PCD patients. This analysis describes the utilization of IM among myeloma patients and explores associations with symptom burden. Methods: For 3 months, a 70-question online survey was hosted on HealthTree.org, an online resource for myeloma patients and researchers created by the HealthTree Foundation. The survey included questions about demographics, PCD type, disease stage, complementary practice use, PHQ-2 score (depression screen), and quality of life (sum of 6 interference items; possible score range 0-6). Mean outcome values were compared between IM users and non-users using two-sample t-tests. Proportions of supplement users and IM users were compared between patients currently on myeloma-specific treatment and patients not currently on treatment using chi-square tests. Results: Of 195 total respondents, 17 were excluded for not completing the survey section on IM practices. Median age range was 60-69 years old, 61% were female, 91% were non-Hispanic white, and 57% were overweight or obese. Plasma cell subtypes were active myeloma (81%), smoldering myeloma (12%), MGUS (3%), amyloidosis (2%), and plasmacytoma (1%), and 72% of patients were currently on cancer-specific treatment. On a scale of 1-10 (1=very uncomfortable; 10=very comfortable), patients reported a mean score of 3.7 when discussing IM therapies with their oncologist. The top 10 IM modalities reported were aerobic exercise (83%), nutrition (67%), natural products (60%), strength exercise (52%), support groups (48%), breathing exercises (44%), meditation (42%), yoga (40%), mindfulness-based stress reduction (38%), and massage (38%). Those who participated in meditation had significantly higher PHQ-2 scores (worse depression) than non-participants (1.1 vs. 0.8; p=0.05). Users of support groups (3.4 vs. 2.7; p=0.04), medicinal marijuana (4.0 vs. 2.9; p=0.03), or vitamin C (3.6 vs. 2.7; p=0.01) reported higher mean interference (worse quality of life) than non-users. Compared to patients currently on cancer treatment for PCD, untreated patients were significantly more likely to use curcumin (58% vs. 41%; p=0.04) or green tea (44% vs. 17%; p<0.001), were less likely to use medicinal marijuana (6% vs. 18%; p=0.05), and reported significantly lower fatigue (p=0.02). Conclusions: This international survey-based analysis reveals that most patients participated in IM modalities, though felt uncomfortable discussing them with their oncologist. It is unclear if the use of some IM modalities were due to symptom burden or lead to higher symptom burden. This study provides a foundation in the understanding of IM use in PCD, but more research is needed to evaluate its efficacy.

Living with an MPN in Ireland: patients' and caregivers' perspectives

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (17) ◽  
pp. S24-S30
Author(s):  
Geraldine Walpole ◽  
Mary Kelly ◽  
Joy Lewis ◽  
Avril Gleeson ◽  
Ann-Marie Cullen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Unmet Needs ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Peer Group ◽  
Myeloproliferative Neoplasms ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Emotional Wellbeing ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Impact

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are associated with a high disease burden, reduced quality of life and shortened survival. The aim of this questionnaire was to gain patients' and caregivers' perspectives on the impact of living with an MPN in the Republic of Ireland. An Irish adaptation of the ‘Global MPN Landmark survey’ was conducted. Fifty-one patients and 44 caregivers completed the questionnaire. Patients reported a wide variety of symptoms at the time of questionnaire completion; fatigue, bone pain and pruritus being most frequently reported. Approximately one-third of respondents from each of the groups (patients and caregivers) reported a negative impact of MPNs on their emotional wellbeing and daily lives. The study findings revealed that, despite treatment, symptom burden remains high, and several unmet needs exist, including educational, emotional and peer group support. Interventions that focus on reducing symptom burden and addressing these unmet needs, may improve the quality of life for patients with MPNs and their caregivers.

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