Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2016
Comparative StudySymptom Clusters in Advanced Cancer Patients: An Empirical Comparison of Statistical Methods and the Impact on Quality of Life.
Symptom clusters in advanced cancer can influence patient outcomes. There is large heterogeneity in the methods used to identify symptom clusters. ⋯ The four identified symptom clusters were consistent across statistical methods and cancer types, although there were some noteworthy differences. Statistical derivation of symptom clusters is in need of greater methodological guidance. A psychosocial pathway in the management of symptom clusters may improve quality of life. Biological mechanisms underpinning symptom clusters need to be delineated by future research. A framework for evidence-based screening, assessment, treatment, and follow-up of symptom clusters in advanced cancer is essential.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2016
Symptom Interference Severity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.
While assessing symptom severity is an important component of evaluating symptoms, understanding those symptoms that interfere with patients' lives is also key. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronic disease resulting in right heart failure and increased mortality. Patients with PAH experience multiple symptoms but we do not know which symptoms and to what extent their symptoms interfere with daily life. ⋯ Patients with PAH are experiencing multiple symptoms that are interfering with their HRQOL and ability to function.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2016
Preferences for Life-Sustaining Treatments and Associations With Accurate Prognostic Awareness and Depressive Symptoms In Terminally Ill Cancer Patients' Last Year of Life.
The stability of life-sustaining treatment (LST) preferences at end of life (EOL) has been established. However, few studies have assessed preferences more than two times. Furthermore, associations of LST preferences with modifiable variables of accurate prognostic awareness, physician-patient EOL care discussions, and depressive symptoms have been investigated in cross-sectional studies only. ⋯ LST preferences are stable in cancer patients' last year. Facilitating accurate prognostic awareness and providing adequate psychological support may counteract the increasing trend for aggressive EOL care and minimize emotional distress during EOL care decisions.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2016
Psychometric Properties of the Icelandic Version of the Revised Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale.
The Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) is a symptom assessment tool commonly used in both research and clinical practice. A revised version of the tool (ESAS-r) was published in 2011. ⋯ The Icelandic version of ESAS-r is a valid and reliable tool for symptom screening in Icelandic cancer patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2016
Associations Between Personality and End-of-Life Care Preferences Among Men with Prostate Cancer: A Clustering Approach.
Increased focus on patient-centered care models has contributed to greater emphasis on improving quality of life at the end of life through personalized medicine. However, little is known about individual-level factors impacting end-of-life care preferences. ⋯ Findings suggest that personality traits are associated with specific health care preferences. Individuals high on neuroticism are likely to report reluctance toward all forms of end-of-life care and may benefit from in-depth information about the process and likely outcomes of receiving life support and palliative care services.