Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Dec 2003
Letter Case ReportsKetamine in the management of chronic pancreatic pain.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Dec 2003
Letter Review Case ReportsChronic lymphocytic leukemia resembling metastatic bone disease-- an unusual manifestation.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Dec 2003
Anemia at the end of life: prevalence, significance, and causes in patients receiving palliative care.
While data exist on the prevalence and causes of anemia in defined groups of the elderly, information on palliative care patients is limited. Compared to actively treated oncology patients, for whom anemia treatment has demonstrated improved quality of life and symptom alleviation, studies of treatment outcomes in palliative care patients are limited. Knowledge of the extent and causes of anemia in palliative care patients is needed, as correction of anemia in these patients could potentially improve their physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning. ⋯ Although anemia of chronic disease is most common, occult folate deficiency may be more prevalent than previously suspected. The findings suggest that a low serum folate level is an insensitive marker of occult folate deficiency. A randomized controlled trial of folic acid treatment is proposed.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Dec 2003
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialCeliac plexus block for pancreatic cancer pain: factors influencing pain, symptoms and quality of life.
Neurolytic celiac plexus block (NCPB) is claimed to be an effective method of pain control for pancreatic cancer pain. However, the factors that may influence long-term analgesia, adverse effects, and quality of life after performing NCPB have never been determined. In a prospective multicenter study, 22 patients who underwent NCPB were followed until death. ⋯ The analgesic and symptomatic effect of NCPB is presumably advantageous for about four weeks. A possible factor interfering with long-term outcome includes the capacity of cancer to involve the celiac axis, which can distort the anatomy and prevent neurolytic spread, or modify the pain mechanisms. Outcomes are strongly based on individual variation.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Dec 2003
Japanese version of the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory: a validation study.
Cancer patients frequently suffer from a myriad of symptoms. The development and application of comprehensive assessment tools is essential to the effective management of these symptoms. The M. ⋯ Construct, criterion, convergent and discriminant validity, and reliability of the MDASI-J were evaluated and compared with corresponding data obtained in the previous study conducted in the United States. The results indicated that the MDASI-J is a valid and practical measure for assessing multiple symptoms in Japanese cancer patients. Both factor analysis and cluster analysis showed the consistency of the statistical structure of the English and Japanese versions, indicating the cross-cultural validity of the scale.