Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Nov 2021
High Anxiety and Depression Scores and Mental Health Service Use Among South Asian Advanced Cancer Patients: A Multi-country Study.
Addressing symptoms of anxiety and depression is important in cancer palliative care. However, little information exists on the prevalence of anxiety and depression and mental health service use among advanced cancer patients in South Asia. ⋯ High, clinically-relevant anxiety and depression scores are common among South Asian advanced cancer patients. Efforts should be made to alleviate psychological morbidity, including providing greater access to supportive/palliative medicine teams or mental health services.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Nov 2021
Neuro-oncology palliative care survey of physicians in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Early access to palliative care is a critical component of treating patients with advanced cancer, particularly for glioblastoma patients who have low rates of survival despite optimal therapies. Additionally, there are unique considerations for primary brain tumor patients given the need for management of headaches, seizures, and focal neurological deficits. ⋯ Palliative care delivery to glioblastoma patients in Sub-Saharan Africa is often delayed until late in the disease course. Barriers to adequate palliative care treatment identified in this survey study include lack of training, limited access to liquid opioid agents, and cultural beliefs.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Nov 2021
Two Factor Structures Possible for the FACIT-Sp in Patients with Heart Failure.
The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT-Sp) is a 12-item measure of spiritual well-being in chronic illness originally developed in patients with cancer. The overall scale, a two-factor model (meaning/peace, faith), and a three-factor model (meaning, peace, faith) have been proposed for the FACIT-Sp, and consensus on the best factor structure has not been reached. In addition, the factor structure of the FACIT-Sp has not been considered in patients with heart failure. ⋯ This study investigated the factor structure of the FACIT-Sp in patients with heart failure. The two-factor and three-factor models were supported, but the single factor model was not. Negatively worded items did not perform well.