Journal of pain and symptom management
-
Although medical cannabis (MC) policies continue to evolve around the world, the integration of MC into clinical practice remains highly debated within the medical community. ⋯ Clinical practices related to MC may be influenced by nonmedical factors, and this may be particularly prevailing in the field of chronic pain, suggesting that MC may be particularly contentious in this field.
-
Therapeutic Reviews aim to provide essential independent information for health professionals about drugs used in palliative and hospice care. Additional content is available via www.palliativedrugs.com. The series editors welcome feedback on the articles.
-
J Pain Symptom Manage · Sep 2019
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyAssociation between Plasma Brain Natriuretic Peptide and Overall Survival in Patients with Advanced Cancer: Preliminary Findings.
Atrial and brain natriuretic peptides (ANP and BNP) are established diagnostic and prognostic markers in heart failure, but their utility in patients with advanced cancer is unclear. ⋯ Our preliminary findings suggest that BNP or Pro-BNP may be a novel objective prognostic marker in cancer patients without heart failure. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.
-
J Pain Symptom Manage · Sep 2019
Randomized Controlled TrialUsability of PCforMe in patients with advanced cancer referred to outpatient palliative care: results of a randomized, active-controlled pilot trial.
Low utilization of palliative care services warrant testing of new solutions to educate and engage patients around the benefits of palliative care. ⋯ PCforMe is a usable mobile health tool to prepare patients for an upcoming palliative care appointment. Further research is needed to test effectiveness.
-
J Pain Symptom Manage · Sep 2019
What is missing for you to be happy? Comparison of the pursuit of happiness among cancer patients, informal caregivers and healthy individuals.
After cancer diagnosis, personal value priorities may change in a way that would transform such values and how life is perceived by cancer patients and their caregivers, including happiness and its pursuit. ⋯ Regardless of the group they were in, participants sought happiness in what they considered to be important to their lives, but it was something they did not have at the time of the interview. Psychoeducational and cognitive-behavioral strategies focused on how to deal with life expectations among people facing cancer are awaited.