Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Sep 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialThe impact of a problem-solving intervention on increasing caregiver assistance and improving caregiver health.
There is a paucity of research evaluating the impact of symptom management interventions on increasing family caregiver involvement in symptom management and on caregivers' emotional health. In addition, most caregiver interventions are delivered by a health care professional, which can be costly to implement in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to determine whether, in patients with solid tumors, a nurse-delivered symptom management intervention was more effective than a coach-led intervention in increasing caregiver involvement in symptom management and improving caregivers' emotional health. ⋯ Findings suggest that a nurse-delivered problem-solving intervention increases family caregivers' level of assistance in symptom management for caregivers with lower levels of depressive symptoms. Data also suggest interventions focused solely on care recipient symptom management may not be effective in improving caregivers' emotional health.
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Support Care Cancer · Sep 2012
Multicenter StudyHematologic outcomes and blood utilization in cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA) pre- and post-national coverage determination (NCD): results from a multicenter chart review.
In July 2007, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) limited coverage of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) in cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA) through a National Coverage Determination (NCD). The primary objective of this study was to compare transfusion rates in patients with CIA with lung, breast, or colorectal cancer before and after the NCD. ⋯ Decreased frequency and duration of ESA administration were reported in the post-NCD vs. pre-NCD period. Findings were accompanied by a modest but statistically significant increase in transfusions and a decrease in Hb values.
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Support Care Cancer · Sep 2012
A new palliative care consultation team at the oncology department of a university hospital: an assessment of initial efficiency and effectiveness.
Palliative care consultation teams (PCCT) in acute hospitals have increased in number over recent years. To assess whether these teams are both efficient in their role within a palliative care centre and effective in the care that is provided for patients, we reviewed the initial activity of a new PCCT at the Oncology Department of Clínica Universidad de Navarra, a European Society for Medical Oncology-designated centre of integrated oncology and palliative care. ⋯ From the initial stages, the PCCT was both efficient in its role within the palliative care centre and effective in the care that was provided for patients. A significant number of patients were evaluated, many of them with severe symptoms and/or at the end of life. Inpatients receiving care from the PCCT experienced an improvement in symptom control within just a few days.
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Support Care Cancer · Sep 2012
Comparative StudyDo elderly patients with metastatic cancer have worse quality of life scores?
The purpose of this study is to compare self-reported quality of life (QOL) scores in old and young patients with metastatic cancer using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C15-PAL questionnaire. ⋯ Based on the (EORTC) QLQ-C15-PAL, elderly advanced cancer patients have a different QOL profile. Similar observations have been reported with the (EORTC) QLQ-C30 questionnaire.
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Support Care Cancer · Sep 2012
Comparative StudyDegree of freezing does not affect efficacy of frozen gloves for prevention of docetaxel-induced nail toxicity in breast cancer patients.
Frozen gloves (FG) are effective in preventing docetaxel-induced nail toxicity (DNT), but uncomfortable. The preventive effect of FG for DNT was compared using a standard (-25 to -30°C) or more comfortable (-10 to -20°C) preparation. ⋯ A convenient preparation of FG at -10 to -20°C is almost as effective as a standard preparation at -25 to -30°C, with significantly less discomfort.