Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Oct 2013
Observational StudyDevelopment and preliminary validation of a risk prediction model for chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting.
A number of risk factors have been implicated in the development of chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting (CINV). Our aim was to develop a risk prediction model and identify patients at high risk for developing CINV before their chemotherapy treatment. ⋯ This model of risk prediction for CINV can be an aid to clinical decision-making and assist clinicians to rationalise antiemetic use with their patients.
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Support Care Cancer · Oct 2013
Cognitive interviewing of bereaved relatives to improve the measurement of health outcomes and care utilisation at the end of life in a mortality followback survey.
The evaluation of end of life care via bereaved relatives is increasingly common. We aimed to improve the measurement of health outcomes and care utilisation at the end of life with this population. ⋯ Cognitive interviewing helped select measures and make changes that improved the measurement of health outcomes and care utilisation at the end of life with bereaved relatives. The use of both generic and specific health measures and cost measurement in bereavement is encouraged.
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Support Care Cancer · Oct 2013
Substantially elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), together with low levels of procalcitonin (PCT), contributes to diagnosis of fungal infection in immunocompromised patients.
Serum procalcitonin (PCT) has become a routinely utilized parameter with a high prediction value of the severity of bacterial infectious complications and their immediate outcomes. Whereas the utility of PCT in differentiating between bacterial and viral infection is generally accepted, its significance in fungal infections has yet to be determined. The aim of the study was to determine the role of PCT testing in patients at high risk for invasive fungal infections. ⋯ Altogether, our data suggest that the finding of substantially elevated CRP combined with low PCT in immunocompromised patients may indicate systemic fungal infection. The use of this combination might simplify the diagnostic process, which otherwise can often be lengthy and arduous.
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Support Care Cancer · Oct 2013
Best supportive care in patients with brain metastases and adverse prognostic factors: development of improved decision aids.
This study aimed to develop a survival prediction model that might aid decision making when choosing between best supportive care (BSC) and brain radiotherapy (RT) for patients with brain metastases and limited survival expectation. ⋯ BSC is a reasonable choice in patients with limited life expectancy. After successful external validation of the selection criteria developed in this analysis, identification of patients who are unlikely to benefit from WBRT might be improved.