| 1. |
- Ax, Anna-Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Short- and long-term effect of high versus low-to-moderate intensity exercise to optimise health-related quality of life after oncological treatment-results from the Phys-Can project
- 2022
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Ingår i: Supportive Care in Cancer. - Heidelberg, Germany : Springer Nature. - 0941-4355 .- 1433-7339. ; 30:7, s. 5949-5963
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of high intensity (HI) vs low-to-moderate intensity (LMI) exercise on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) up to 18 months after commencement of oncological treatment in patients with breast, colorectal or prostate cancer. In addition, we conducted a comparison with usual care (UC).METHODS: Patients scheduled for (neo)adjuvant oncological treatment (n = 577) were randomly assigned to 6 months of combined resistance and endurance training of HI or LMI. A longitudinal descriptive study (UC) included participants (n = 89) immediately before the RCT started. HRQoL was assessed by EORTC QLQ-C30 at baseline, 3, 6 and 18 months (1 year after completed exercise intervention) follow-up. Linear mixed models were used to study the groups over time.RESULTS: Directly after the intervention, HI scored significant (P = 0.02), but not clinically relevant, higher pain compared with LMI. No other significant difference in HRQoL was found between the exercise intensities over time. Clinically meaningful improvements in HRQoL over time were detected within both exercise intensities. We found favourable significant differences in HRQoL in both exercise intensities compared with UC over time.CONCLUSION: This study adds to the strong evidence of positive effect of exercise and shows that exercise, regardless of intensity, can have beneficial effects on HRQoL during oncological treatment and also for a substantial time after completion of an exercise intervention. In this study, for one year after.IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Patients can be advised to exercise at either intensity level according to their personal preferences, and still benefit from both short-term and long-term improvements in HRQoL.
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| 2. |
- Carrwik, Christian, 1977-, et al.
(författare)
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Survival after surgery for spinal metastatic disease: a nationwide multiregistry cohort study.
- 2021
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Ingår i: BMJ open. - : BMJ. - 2044-6055. ; 11:11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- To evaluate survival after surgery and indications for surgery due to spinal metastatic disease.A retrospective longitudinal multiregistry nationwide cohort study.19 public hospitals in Sweden with spine surgery service, where 6 university hospitals account for over 90% of the cases.1820 patients 18 years or older undergoing surgery due to spinal metastatic disease 2006-2018 and registered in Swespine, the Swedish national spine surgery registry.Decompressive and/or stabilising spine surgery due to spinal metastatic disease.Survival (median and mean) after surgery.Indications for surgery, types of surgery and causes of death.The median estimated survival after surgery was 6.2 months (95% CI: 5.6 to 6.8) and the mean estimated survival time was 12.2 months (95% CI: 11.4 to 13.1). Neurologic deficit was the most common indication for surgery and posterior stabilisation was performed in 70.5% of the cases. A neoplasm was stated as the main cause of death for 97% of the patients.Both median and mean survival times were well above the generally accepted thresholds for surgical treatment for spinal metastases, suggesting that patient selection for surgical treatment on a national level is adequate. Further research on quality of life after surgery and prognostication is needed.
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| 3. |
- Girma Kebede, Betlehem, et al.
(författare)
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Communicative challenges among physicians, patients, and family caregivers in cancer care: An exploratory qualitative study in Ethiopia
- 2020
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Ingår i: PLoS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 15:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Cancer is a growing concern in Ethiopia. Though communication is essential for the treatment process, few studies have looked at communication in Ethiopian cancer care. Due to the large number of patients and scarcity of resources, it is vital to understand how to manage consultations in order to effectively help as many patients as possible in this challenging work environment. Thus, research is needed to analyze and understand the communicative challenges experienced by physicians, patients, and family caregivers, in order to successfully handle patient care in practice. Objective We explore communication in Ethiopian cancer care and present the main challenges faced by physicians, patients, and family caregivers. Methods This explorative qualitative study was conducted at the Oncology Department of the Tikur Anbessa (Black Lion) Specialized Teaching Hospital (TASH) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A triangulation of data collection methods was used: 91 audio-recorded, semi-structured interviews and 21 video-recordings of authentic interactions during hospital rounds. The aim was to obtain as complete a picture as possible of communication from the perspectives of physicians, patients, and family caregivers. The interviews were analyzed using thematic content analysis and the identified themes were supported by excerpts from the transcribed recordings. Results Eight themes emerged from the data. Workload and time pressure, in combination with restricted space for privacy, limited the possibilities for physicians to deliver detailed information and provide emotional support. Furthermore, patient literacy levels, in combination with no or little cancer awareness, financial problems, reliance on traditional and religious treatments, the stigma of cancer, and a fatalistic attitude, resulted in delays in patients seeking care and participating in positive health behaviors, and, subsequently, often resulted in an unwillingness to openly discuss problems with physicians and adhere to treatment. The study also illustrates the paramount role of family in physician-patient communication in Ethiopia. Though family caregivers provide a valuable interpreting support when patients have limited language skills, they can also prevent patients from sharing information with physicians. Another important finding is that family caregivers were often responsible for making decisions about treatment and avoided telling patients about a poor prognosis, believing that conveying bad news may upset them. All of these themes have important implications for the role of ethically acceptable communication in patient-centered care. Conclusions This study has identified a number of serious challenges for successful and ethically acceptable health communication in Ethiopian cancer care. The study contributes to our understanding of the complexity around the role of family, combined with patients’ dependency on family members for communication, support, and access to care, which creates particular ethical dilemmas for the medical staff. The questions raised by this study concern how to organize consultations to achieve patient-centered health communication, while maintaining a constructive alliance with the family and not jeopardizing the patient’s continued access to care. The integration of communication training for medical students in Ethiopia, with a focus on ethical guidelines for family-centered patient consultation suitable for these circumstances, would be an essential step.
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| 4. |
- Hedman, Christel, et al.
(författare)
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Symptom management and support in dying patients with cancer and coronavirus disease-19 : a register-based study
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Palliative Care. - : Sage Publications. - 0825-8597 .- 2369-5293. ; 38:3, s. 261-267
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: Little is known to what extent access to specialist palliative care (SPC) for cancer patients dying with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) affects the occurrence of breakthrough symptoms, symptom relief, and overall care, compared to hospital deaths. Our aim was to include patients with both COVID-19 and cancer and compare those dying in hospitals with those dying in SPC with reference to the quality of end-of-life care.Methods: Patients with both cancer and COVID-19 who died in hospitals (n = 430) and within SPC (n = 384) were identified from the Swedish Register of Palliative Care. The hospital and SPC groups were compared regarding the quality of end-of-life care, including the occurrence of 6 breakthrough symptoms during the last week in life, symptom relief, end-of-life care decisions, information, support, and human presence at death.Results: Breakthrough of breathlessness was more common in the hospital patients compared to the SPC patients (61% and 39%, respectively; p <.001), while pain was less common (65% and 78%, respectively; p <.001). Breakthrough of nausea, anxiety, respiratory secretions, or confusion did not differ. All 6 symptoms, except for confusion, were more often completely relieved in SPC (p =.014 to p <.001 in different comparisons). In SPC, a documented decision about the goal being end-of-life care and information about this were more common than in hospitals (p <.001). Also, to have family members present at the time of death and for family members to be offered a follow-up talk afterward was more common in SPC (p <.001).Conclusion: More systematic palliative care routines may be an important factor for better symptom control and higher quality of end-of-life care in hospitals.
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| 5. |
- Martinsson, Lisa, et al.
(författare)
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Parenteral Hydration in Dying Patients With Cancer : A National Registry Study
- 2024
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Ingår i: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. - : Elsevier. - 0885-3924 .- 1873-6513. ; 67:5, s. 384-392
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context: Clinically assisted hydration during end-of-life care among patients with cancer is controversial; practice varies between clinical settings and countries, and there is a lack of evidence. Objectives: To examine whether breathlessness, respiratory secretion, or confusion correlates with receiving parenteral hydration during end of life, adjusted for sex, age, and place of death. Methods: The Swedish Register of Palliative Care database was used to collect data about the usage of parenteral hydration during the last day of life, and the occurrence of three symptoms during the last week. Adults dying from cancer during 2011–2021 in hospitals, in residential care homes, and within specialized palliative care were included. Correlation between parenteral hydration and symptoms was examined using χ2-test and logistic regression. Results: A total of 147,488 patients were included in the study. Parenteral hydration was more often prescribed to younger persons, to men, and in acute hospitals (compared to other settings), p < 0.001 in all three comparisons. Patients with hematological malignancies (20%) and ovarian cancer (16%) were most likely to receive parenteral hydration, while those with brain tumors (6%) were least likely. The presence of all three analyzed symptoms during the last week (breathlessness, respiratory secretion, and confusion) were significantly correlated with having received parenteral hydration during the last day of life (p < 0.001). In the final logistic regression model adjusted for age, sex, and place of death, the only symptom with remaining correlation to parenteral hydration was breathlessness (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.50–1.6). Conclusion: There is an association between parenteral hydration and increased breathlessness in patients with cancer. Provision of parenteral hydration is more prevalent in men, younger patients, and those with hematological malignancies or ovarian cancer, and most widespread in acute hospital settings.
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| 6. |
- Mazzoni, Anne-Sophie, et al.
(författare)
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Reallocating sedentary time to physical activity : effects on fatigue and quality of life in patients with breast cancer in the Phys-Can project
- 2023
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Ingår i: Supportive Care in Cancer. - : Springer Nature. - 0941-4355 .- 1433-7339. ; 31:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the effects of reallocating sedentary time to an equal amount of light (LPA) or moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) on cancer-related fatigue and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with breast cancer. We also aimed to determine the daily amount of sedentary time needed to be reallocated to LPA or MVPA to produce minimal clinically important changes in these outcomes.METHODS: Pooled baseline data from three studies were used, including women with breast cancer who participated in the Phys-Can project. Fatigue was assessed with the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory questionnaire (MFI; five dimensions, 4-20 scale) and HRQoL with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30; 0-100 scale). Sedentary time and physical activity were measured with accelerometry. Isotemporal substitution modelling was used for the analyses.RESULTS: Overall, 436 participants (mean age 56 years, fatigue 11 [MFI], HRQoL 66 [EORTC QLQ-C30], LPA 254 min/day, MVPA 71 min/day) were included. Fatigue significantly decreased in two MFI dimensions when reallocating 30 min/day of sedentary time to LPA: reduced motivation and reduced activity (β = - 0.21). Fatigue significantly decreased in three MFI dimensions when reallocating 30 min/day of sedentary time to MVPA: general fatigue (β = - 0.34), physical fatigue (β = - 0.47) and reduced activity (β = - 0.48). To produce minimal clinically important changes in fatigue (- 2 points on MFI), the amount of sedentary time needed to be reallocated to LPA was ≈290 min/day and to MVPA was ≥ 125 min/day. No significant effects were observed on HRQoL when reallocating sedentary time to LPA or MVPA.CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that reallocating sedentary time to LPA or MVPA has beneficial effects on cancer-related fatigue in patients with breast cancer, with MVPA having the greatest impact. In relatively healthy and physically active breast cancer populations, a large amount of time reallocation is needed to produce clinically important changes. Future studies are warranted to evaluate such effects in broader cancer populations.TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02473003 (10/10/2014) and NCT04586517 (14/10/2020).
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| 7. |
- Rexhepi, Hanife, 1984-, et al.
(författare)
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Online electronic healthcare records : Comparing the views of cancer patients and others
- 2020
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Ingår i: Health Informatics Journal. - : Sage Publications. - 1460-4582 .- 1741-2811. ; 26:4, s. 2915-2929
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study investigates differences in attitudes towards, and experiences with, online electronic health records between cancer patients and patients with other conditions, highlighting what is characteristic to cancer patients. A national patient survey on online access to electronic health records was conducted, where cancer patients were compared with all other respondents. Overall, 2587 patients completed the survey (response rate 0.61%). A total of 347 respondents (13.4%) indicated that they suffered from cancer. Results showed that cancer patients are less likely than other patients to use online electronic health records due to general interest (p < 0.001), but more likely for getting an overview of their health history (p = 0.001) and to prepare for visits (p < 0.001). Moreover, cancer patients rate benefits of accessing their electronic health records online higher than other patients and see larger positive effects regarding improved communication with and involvement in healthcare.
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| 8. |
- Schauer, Tim, et al.
(författare)
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Exercise intensity and markers of inflammation during and after (neo-) adjuvant cancer treatment
- 2021
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Ingår i: Endocrine-Related Cancer. - 1351-0088 .- 1479-6821. ; 28:3, s. 191-201
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Exercise training has been hypothesized to lower the inflammatory burden for patients with cancer, but the role of exercise intensity is unknown. To this end, we compared the effects of high-intensity (HI) and low-to-moderate intensity (LMI) exercise on markers of inflammation in patients with curable breast, prostate and colorectal cancer undergoing primary adjuvant cancer treatment in a secondary analysis of the Phys-Can randomized trial (NCT02473003). Sub-group analyses focused on patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Patients performed 6 months of combined aerobic and resistance exercise on either HI or LMI during and after primary adjuvant cancer treatment. Plasma taken at baseline, immediately post-treatment and post-intervention was analyzed for levels of interleukin 1 beta (IL1B), IL6, IL8, IL10, tumor-necrosis factor alpha (TNFA) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Intention-to-treat analyses of 394 participants revealed no significant between-group differences. Regardless of exercise intensity, significant increases of IL6, IL8, IL10 and TNFA post-treatment followed by significant declines, except for IL8, until post-intervention were observed with no difference for CRP or IL1B. Subgroup analyses of 154 patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy revealed that CRP (estimated mean difference (95% CI): 0.59 (0.33; 1.06); P = 0.101) and TNFA (EMD (95% CI): 0.88 (0.77; 1); P = 0.053) increased less with HI exercise post-treatment compared to LMI. Exploratory cytokine co-regulation analysis revealed no difference between the groups. In patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy, HI exercise resulted in a lesser increase of CRP and TNFA immediately post-treatment compared to LMI, potentially protecting against chemotherapy-related inflammation.
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| 9. |
- Weber Falk, Megan, et al.
(författare)
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Psychological symptoms in widowed parents with minor children, 2-4 years after the loss of a partner to cancer
- 2021
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Ingår i: Psycho-Oncology. - : Wiley. - 1057-9249 .- 1099-1611. ; 30:7, s. 1112-1119
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore psychological symptoms in widowed parents with minor children, 2–4 years after the death of their partner. A second aim was to examine the associations between psychological symptoms and nonmodifiable and modifiable illness and healthcare-related factors.MethodsA cross-sectional survey study on widowed parents with minor children after the loss of a partner to cancer. In total, 42 parents completed an online questionnaire including instruments for assessing symptoms of anxiety, depression, grief rumination, prolonged grief, and posttraumatic stress. Descriptive statistics, Spearman's correlation coefficients, Mann–Whitney U tests and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to analyze differences in symptomology based on modifiable and nonmodifiable factors.ResultsParents reported moderate–severe symptoms of anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and depression. Reporting having received more information during the partner's illness regarding how the illness could affect the partner's somatic and psychological health and where to turn for support were associated with fewer psychological symptoms.ConclusionsA substantial proportion of widowed parents with minor children reported a moderate–severe symptom burden regarding depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress, and less so with prolonged grief symptoms. This study also highlighted the value of receiving information from healthcare personnel regarding the somatic and psychological effects of a partner's illness and where widowed parents can turn for support.
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| 10. |
- Ayoub, Maria, 1990-, et al.
(författare)
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The Family Talk Intervention in Pediatric Oncology : Potential Effects Reported by Parents
- 2024
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Ingår i: Children. - : MDPI. - 2227-9067. ; 11:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Childhood cancer impacts the family system and has psychosocial consequences for all family members. For the parents, the ill child, and the siblings to be able to adjust to this challenging situation, the whole family needs access to psychosocial support. However, only a few such family interventions in pediatric oncology have been evaluated. The aim of this study was to explore the potential effects of a family-centered intervention, the Family Talk Intervention (FTI), in pediatric oncology from the parents' perspectives. Methods: A concurrent mixed methods design was used for this study. Data were derived from a pilot study of 26 families recruited from one pediatric oncology center in Sweden. This study focused on questionnaire and interview data from 52 parents. Results: After participation in FTI, the parents felt more satisfied with the conversations within the family about the illness. FTI also contributed to strengthened family togetherness, including more open communication and improved family relations, as described by the parents. Parents further expressed that they felt more empowered in their parenting role following FTI. Conclusions: The findings regarding FTI's ability to improve family communication and family relations, thus strengthening family togetherness in families with childhood cancer, are promising. This provides motivation for a large-scale study of FTIs in pediatric oncology.
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