Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Oct 2015
Development and validation of the Lymphedema Symptom and Intensity Survey-Arm.
The purpose of this instrument development project was to create a self-report tool to evaluate arm lymphedema and associated symptoms in breast cancer survivors. ⋯ Phase 1: The most common symptoms experienced by breast cancer survivors with lymphedema were identified. A 52-item scale was developed. Phase 2: 128 community-dwelling breast cancer survivors (64 with lymphedema, 64 without lymphedema) completed the LSIDS-A. Feedback from the participants was that the format was "clear" and "made sense"; therefore, the response structure was left intact. Sixteen items were deleted leaving a 36-item revised instrument. Phase 3: Subsequent testing in a total sample of 236 breast cancer survivors with lymphedema was undertaken. The Cronbach's alpha reliability values for the overall intensity and distress scores were 0.93 and 0.94, respectively. The Kuder-Richardson values ranged from 0.66 to 0.92. Divergent validity evaluated against Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirebility Scale overall was acceptable (intensity, r s = 0.08; distress, r s = -0.12). Convergent validity was acceptable as tested with multiple instruments (e.g., Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast +4, overall intensity r s = -0.44, overall distress r s = -.48) CONCLUSIONS: The 30-item LSIDS-A is a valid and reliable instrument that can be used to assess arm lymphedema and its associated symptoms.
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Support Care Cancer · Oct 2015
Validation of the Hindi version of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20 (MFI-20) in Indian cancer patients.
The present study was designed to validate the Hindi version of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20 (MFI-20) in Indian oncology population. ⋯ We conclude that the hMFI-20 has a high internal consistency and reasonable construct validity. Therefore, the hMFI-20 is a reliable and valid tool to assess the multidimensional fatigue in Indian oncology population. However, we recommend further validation of hMFI-20 in population of cancer patients of different linguistic settings and regions of India.
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Support Care Cancer · Oct 2015
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyEfficacy and safety of oral palonosetron compared with IV palonosetron administered with dexamethasone for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in patients with solid tumors receiving cisplatin-based highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC).
This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of oral palonosetron with intravenous (IV) palonosetron for the prevention of cisplatin-related chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). ⋯ Non-inferiority of oral versus IV palonosetron was demonstrated. The CR rate in the acute phase was >86 % in both patient groups. The safety profiles were comparable.
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Support Care Cancer · Oct 2015
Review Meta AnalysisDoes procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, or interleukin-6 test have a role in the diagnosis of severe infection in patients with febrile neutropenia? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
The study aims to determine the usefulness of procalcitonin (PCT) and other blood markers for identification of bacterial infection among patients with febrile neutropenia (FN). ⋯ Of the three potentially useful markers, PCT had the best positive likelihood ratio and can be used to confirm the diagnosis of bacterial infections in patients with FN. Due to unacceptably high negative likelihood ratio, medical decision for stopping antibiotics based on PCT alone in this high-risk population may not be possible.
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Support Care Cancer · Oct 2015
Cognitive impairment in testicular cancer survivors 2 to 7 years after treatment.
The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment (CI) in a group of testicular (TC) survivors by comparing their neuropsychological test scores with normative data and to assess their performance in specific cognitive domains. ⋯ The prevalence of CI in TC survivors was unexpectedly high, with survivors performing significantly worse than expected on a majority of the neuropsychological outcomes. While the findings are preliminary in nature, they still have important implications for the diagnosis and treatment of CI in TC survivors.