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- Singer, Susanne, et al.
(författare)
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International Phase IV Field Study for the Reliability and Validity of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Thyroid Cancer Module EORTC QLQ-THY34.
- 2023
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Ingår i: Thyroid : official journal of the American Thyroid Association. - 1050-7256 .- 1557-9077. ; 33:9, s. 1078-1089
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: The aim of this study was to validate the new European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Thyroid Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-THY34). Methods: We enrolled 437 thyroid cancer patients from 17 countries. One group (n=303), undergoing treatment or best supportive care, completed the questionnaires at three time points (before therapy [t1], 6 weeks later [t2], and 6 months after t2 [t3]). A second group (survivors ≥2 years after diagnosis, n=134) completed it at a random baseline time point and a second time 1 week later. We determined internal consistency (using Cronbach's alpha), the scale structure (with confirmatory factor analysis), and discriminant validity (using known-group comparisons). Group 1 data were used to assess responsiveness and group 2 data to determine test-retest reliability using intra-class correlations (ICC). Results: All 34 items fulfilled the criteria to be kept in the questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha was >0.70 in 8 of the 9 multi-item scales. All standardized factor loadings exceeded 0.40, confirming the proposed scale structure. The ICC was >0.70 in all scales expressing good test-retest reliability. Differences in scale scores between patients with different histology were >5 points in all scales. In all but one of the pre-specified scales (Dry Mouth), changes over time were ≥|4| points between at least two time points. Conclusion: The EORTC QLQ-THY34 with its 9 multi-item and 8 single-item scales is a reliable and valid tool to measure quality of life in thyroid cancer patients and can be used in future trials and studies.
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| 2. |
- Singer, Susanne, et al.
(författare)
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The impact of electronic versus paper-based data capture on data collection logistics and on missing scores in thyroid cancer patients.
- 2024
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Ingår i: Endocrine. - 1559-0100. ; 84:2, s. 635-645
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the type of data capture on the time and help needed for collecting patient-reported outcomes as well as on the proportion of missing scores.In a multinational prospective study, thyroid cancer patients from 17 countries completed a validated questionnaire measuring quality of life. Electronic data capture was compared to the paper-based approach using multivariate logistic regression.A total of 437 patients were included, of whom 13% used electronic data capture. The relation between data capture and time needed was modified by the emotional functioning of the patients. Those with clinical impairments in that respect needed more time to complete the questionnaire when they used electronic data capture compared to paper and pencil (ORadj 24.0; p=0.006). This was not the case when patients had sub-threshold emotional problems (ORadj 1.9; p=0.48). The odds of having the researcher reading the questions out (instead of the patient doing this themselves) (ORadj 0.1; p=0.01) and of needing any help (ORadj 0.1; p=0.01) were lower when electronic data capture was used. The proportion of missing scores was equivalent in both groups (ORadj 0.4, p=0.42).The advantages of electronic data capture, such as real-time assessment and fewer data entry errors, may come at the price of more time required for data collection when the patients have mental health problems. As this is not uncommon in thyroid cancer, researchers need to choose the type of data capture wisely for their particular research question.
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| 3. |
- Büttner, Matthias, et al.
(författare)
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Quality of Life in Patients With Hypoparathyroidism After Treatment for Thyroid Cancer.
- 2020
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Ingår i: The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism. - : The Endocrine Society. - 1945-7197 .- 0021-972X. ; 105:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Surgical complications such as hypoparathyroidism (HPT) or vocal cord palsy are seldom assessed when the quality of life (QOL) in thyroid cancer patients is investigated. The aim of this study was to measure the QOL difference in thyroid cancer survivors with and without HPT.Participants for this analysis were enrolled in 13 countries from a study that pilot-tested a thyroid cancer-specific QOL instrument. They were included if they had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer at least 9 months previously. QOL was measured using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core (EORTC QLQ-C30) and some items on HPT symptoms (eg, tingling in fingers or toes). HPT status and other clinical data were extracted from the patients' medical charts. Comparisons of QOL domains between patients with and without HPT were performed using Mann-Whitney U test. The occurrence of HPT-related symptoms was compared using chi-square tests. Multiple ordinal regression analysis was performed to evaluate factors that might affect QOL.Eighty-nine patients participated in this study, 17 of whom were considered to have HPT. Patients in the HPT group reported significantly reduced QOL in 9 of the 15 scales of the EORTC QLQ-C30 compared to patients without HPT. Regression analysis showed that HPT was independently negatively associated with various scales of the QLQ-C30. Both groups showed a high prevalence of typical HPT symptoms.Thyroid cancer patients with HPT report significantly impaired QOL compared to thyroid cancer survivors without HPT. The assessment of HPT should be considered when measuring QOL in thyroid cancer patients.
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| 4. |
- Carlson, Julie, et al.
(författare)
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Salivary gland cancer: an update on present and emerging therapies
- 2013
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Ingår i: 2013 ASCO Educational Book. American Society of Clinical Oncology. ; , s. 257-63
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Malignant salivary gland tumors make up a small proportion of malignancies worldwide, yet vary widely in terms of histology, patterns of spread, and recurrence. A better understanding of this variability will guide appropriate treatment recommendations and lead to improved outcomes. Recent molecular genetic studies have uncovered a translocation-generated gene fusion network in salivary gland carcinomas that can be used for diagnosis, treatment decisions, and development of specific targeted therapies. The gene fusions encode novel fusion oncoproteins that function as transcriptional coactivators, tyrosine kinase receptors, and transcription factors involved in growth-factor signaling and cell-cycle regulation. While surgery currently is the primary therapy for operable tumors, radiation plays an important role in the postoperative setting, as well as in the definitive setting for inoperable lesions. An awareness of the risk factors for tumor recurrence and spread is important for both adjuvant therapy referrals and for radiation treatment planning purposes. Additionally, chemotherapy is being used increasingly in both the concurrent setting as a radiosensitizer, as well as in the palliative setting for metastatic tumors. Future trials investigating concurrent chemotherapy and radiation, as well as the use of targeted agents based on evolving molecular discoveries, will elucidate optimal personalized approaches for this challenging disease.
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