Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Jan 2013
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyHow does the Distress Thermometer compare to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for detecting possible cases of psychological morbidity among cancer survivors?
Use of the Distress Thermometer (DT) as a screening tool is increasing across the cancer trajectory. This study examined the accuracy and optimal cut-off score of the DT compared to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) for detecting possible cases of psychological morbidity among adults in early survivorship. ⋯ The recommended DT cut-off score of ≥4 was not supported for universal use among recent cancer survivors. The optimal DT threshold depends upon whether the tool is being used in the clinical or research setting. The DT may best serve to initially identify non-cases as part of a two-stage screening process. The performance of the DT against 'gold standard' clinical interview should be evaluated with cancer survivors.
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Support Care Cancer · Jan 2013
Comparative StudyThe English and Chinese versions of the five-level EuroQoL Group's five-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D) were valid and reliable and provided comparable scores in Asian breast cancer patients.
To examine the measurement properties of and comparability between the English and Chinese versions of the five-level EuroQoL Group's five-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D) in breast cancer patients in Singapore. ⋯ The five-level EQ-5D is valid, responsive, and reliable in assessing health outcome of breast cancer patients. The English and Chinese versions provide comparable measurement results.
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Support Care Cancer · Jan 2013
Prevalence and risk factors for insomnia among breast cancer patients on aromatase inhibitors.
Insomnia is increasingly recognized as a major symptom outcome in breast cancer; however, little is known about its prevalence and risk factors among women receiving aromatase inhibitors (AIs), a standard treatment to increase disease-free survival among breast cancer patients. ⋯ Insomnia complaints exceed 50 % among AI users. Clinically significant insomnia is highly associated with joint pain, hot flashes, anxiety and depression, age, and time since diagnosis.
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Support Care Cancer · Jan 2013
Validation of the Head and Neck Patient Symptom Checklist as a nutrition impact symptom assessment tool for head and neck cancer patients.
The purpose of this study was to test the validity of the Head and Neck Patient Symptom Checklist (HNSC). ⋯ The HNSC appears to be a valid tool for determining symptoms interfering with dietary intake of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. This instrument may aid in early identification of symptoms that place HNC patients at risk for reductions in dietary intake, weight, and functional performance.
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Support Care Cancer · Jan 2013
Laxative prescriptions to cancer outpatients receiving opioids: a study from the Norwegian prescription database.
During opioid treatment of cancer pain, constipation is one of the most prevalent and bothersome side effects. Guidelines suggest that treatment with laxatives should be initiated when opioid therapy is started. ⋯ Of those who started directly on a strong opioid, only one fourth received laxatives concomitantly with the first opioid, and nearly half did not receive laxatives at all. These findings indicate that the current guidelines are not followed.