Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Feb 2016
Constipation in specialized palliative care: factors related to constipation when applying different definitions.
For patients in palliative care, constipation is primarily a result of opioid treatment. Impacts from other factors related to constipation in palliative care are rarely studied. ⋯ There were several significant factors related to constipation with higher odds than opioid- treatment, for patients in palliative care, such as; hard stool, cancer diagnosis, dissatisfaction with information, low fluid intake, hemorrhoids, bed restriction, hospitalization, and need of personal assistance for toilet visits.
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Support Care Cancer · Feb 2016
Comparative StudyComparison of effectiveness of biosimilar filgrastim (Nivestim™), reference Amgen filgrastim and pegfilgrastim in febrile neutropenia primary prevention in breast cancer patients treated with neo(adjuvant) TAC: a non-interventional cohort study.
Biosimilars are supported by limited clinical data at the time of approval. Recently, Nivestim™, a biosimilar of reference of filgrastim, was approved for prevention of chemotherapy-related febrile neutropenia (FN). To add clinical experience to this new biosimilar, we performed a study to compare the effectiveness of Nivestim™ with reference filgrastim and pegfilgrastim in FN prevention in patients receiving high-risk FN chemotherapy. ⋯ No differences in biosimilar effectiveness were detected. The clinical relevance of the profound neutropenia found in the biosimilar cohort needs further attention.
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Support Care Cancer · Feb 2016
Toward structured peer support interventions in oncology: a qualitative insight into the experiences of gynaecological cancer survivors providing peer support.
Research into dyadic (one-to-one) peer support has predominantly focused on the recipients of peer support whilst neglecting the impact on the peer support providers (PSPs). Increasingly, structured/protocolised peer support interventions are employed. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the experience of providing peer support within a protocolised intervention and how common key characteristics of such interventions (guidelines and checklists, rigorous training and partnerships with health professionals) may influence PSPs' experiences. This research was conducted within the context of an ongoing randomised controlled trial investigating a protocolised peer support intervention (the Peer and Nurse support Trial to Assist women in Gynaecological Oncology (PeNTAGOn) study). ⋯ These insights into the advantages and disadvantages of protocolised peer support can be used to inform future research and social support programs and maximise the effectiveness of such programs for patients, PSPs and the health-care system.
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Support Care Cancer · Feb 2016
Treatment patterns and outcomes in the prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced (febrile) neutropenia with biosimilar filgrastim (the MONITOR-GCSF study).
The purpose of this study is to examine the real-world treatment patterns and outcomes of chemotherapy-induced (febrile) neutropenia (chemotherapy-induced (CIN)/febrile neutropenia (FN)) prophylaxis with biosimilar filgrastim (Zarzio®). ⋯ The clinical and safety outcomes are well within the range of historically reported data for originator filgrastim underscoring the clinical effectiveness and safety of biosimilar filgrastim in daily clinical practice.
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Support Care Cancer · Feb 2016
Inadequate pain management in cancer patients attending an outpatient palliative radiotherapy clinic.
The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of undertreated cancer pain in an outpatient palliative radiotherapy clinic using the Pain Management Index (PMI). ⋯ The rate of undertreatment is similar to that reported in past studies; however, the rates have shown a slight increase in our palliative radiotherapy clinic since the last assessment. Inadequate management of cancer pain continues to be a problem.