The British journal of cancer. Supplement
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Br. J. Cancer Suppl. · Dec 1992
Comparative StudyMethodology and assessment in clinical anti-emetic research: a meta-analysis of outcome parameters.
There have been major clinical advances in the control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and emesis. These advances were achieved partly by the introduction of new anti-emetic agents but important improvement came from the use of existing agents in ways developed from the results of studies based on new approaches and methods in anti-emetic research. By developing basic research tools, improving methodology and applying psychometrically sound assessments better management or chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting has been achieved. ⋯ The frequency of outcome events was most commonly the dimension assessed. Examination of size of the effect of an anti-emetic regimen for these anti-emetic studies showed it to be independent of the type of outcome measured, but to be quite dependent on how the outcome was quantified. For instance, differences in the frequency or incidence of either nausea or emesis were generally larger than measurements made of the duration of either of these.
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Br. J. Cancer Suppl. · Dec 1992
CommentNausea and vomiting and cancer patients' quality of life: a discussion of Professor Selby's paper.
It is evident from the data presented above that nausea and vomiting are frequent side effects which are often persistent and distressing to patients. Evidence suggests, and intuitively it appears that avoidance of nausea and vomiting is important to the patients' ability to maintain their quality of life during the treatment period. It is of particular interest to note that in the literature reviewed in this paper standard antiemetic prescribing and practice were followed. ⋯ Ideally, the instrument used should contain separate items for nausea and vomiting. Major side effects of antiemetic therapy should also be assessed since these may be as debilitating as the effects of nausea and vomiting. Increased awareness of total patient impact of emesis and antiemetic therapy will serve as an impetus for improvements in antiemetic therapy strategies and practices.