小剂量短程泼尼松治疗晚期肿瘤患者癌性疲劳的临床研究

目的 癌性疲劳(cancer-related fatigue,CRF)是影响晚期肿瘤患者生活质量的主要原因,目前无确切有效的药物治疗.本研究旨在评价小剂量短程泼尼松治疗晚期肿瘤患者癌性疲劳的疗效及安全性.方法 选取2013-09-01-2015-10-01绍兴市人民医院肿瘤内科放疗科住院并接受姑息性支持治疗的晚期肿瘤患者78例,分为泼尼松组(40例)和对照组(38例),泼尼松组予泼尼松片10 mg早晚各1次,共14 d;对照组给予最佳姑息支持治疗(不含激素类药物),在第0、8和15天进行埃德蒙顿症状评估系统(Edmonton Symptom Assessment System,ESAS)≥4分(0～10分)且肿瘤治疗中疲劳的相关功能评估量表评分(Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Fatigue,FACT-F)≤36分及慢性病治疗中疲劳的相关功能评估量表(Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue,FACIT-F)评分,将FACT-F变化值作为主要研究终点.结果 经过1～2周治疗后,泼尼松组和对照组第8天的FACT-F评分变化为11(4～25)和8(2～21),第15天的FACT-F评分变化为14(4～27)和10(3～23),泼尼松组在第8天及第15天均较对照组FACT-F评分变化显著,P值分别为0.004和0.024,同时总体生活质量FACIT-F评分增加值泼尼松组亦高于对照组,P=0.039,P=0.029;ESAS疲劳评分同样验证了泼尼松组CRF改善情况好于对照组.在常见症状中,泼尼松组ESAS食欲评分减少数值较对照组显著,泼尼松第8天ESAS食欲评分变化为-3.5(-5～-2),对照组为-3(-5～0),P=0.038;第15天泼尼松组和对照组ESAS食欲评分变化分别为-4(-5～2)和-3(-5～-1),P=0.017,而其他症状评分变化在两组间差异无统计学意义.不良事件均为轻、中度,两组间差异无统计学意义.结论 小剂量短程泼尼松是临床上治疗癌性疲劳和厌食安全有效的药物.     

Circulating prediagnostic interleukin‐6 and C‐reactive protein and prostate cancer incidence and mortality

Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) are elevated in prostate cancer patients, but the role of prediagnostic levels of these inflammatory mediators on prostate cancer outcomes is unclear. We undertook a large, prospective case‐control study to evaluate the relation between prediagnostic levels of IL‐6 and CRP and prostate cancer incidence and mortality. We also investigated the role of the IL‐6 (?174 G/C) polymorphism in relation to circulating levels of IL‐6 and CRP, as well as cancer risk and mortality. We used unconditional logistic regression that adjusted for matching factors to analyze prostate cancer risk. For analyses of prostate cancer mortality, we conducted survival analyses in cases. Because of the strong link between inflammatory markers and body mass index (BMI), we assessed interactions between BMI and plasma levels on prostate cancer outcomes. Neither IL‐6 nor CRP plasma levels varied significantly by IL‐6 genotype. Genotype was not associated with prostate cancer risk or survival. Though neither IL‐6 nor CRP was associated with prostate cancer incidence overall, we observed a statistically significant interaction between IL‐6 and BMI on prostate cancer incidence (p_interaction < 0.01). Increasing IL‐6 levels were positively associated with risk in healthy weight men, but inversely associated with risk in overweight men. Further, prediagnostic IL‐6 was associated with time to prostate cancer progression/death among healthy weight prostate cancer cases (p_trend = 0.02). Adjusted hazard ratios were 1.73 (95% CI: 0.86, 3.51) comparing the highest to lowest IL‐6 level. Our study suggests that IL‐6 may potentially be involved in the development or progression of prostate cancer. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Serum interleukin-6 levels reflect the disease status of colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been shown to be associated with cancer development. However, its role in the progression of colorectal cancer has never been elucidated. Our intention was to investigate this role and identify its prognostic significance. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-four consecutive colorectal cancer patients, whose local lesions were resected, were selected. The preoperative serum IL-6 levels were measured and the relationships between the elevation of IL-6 and both the clinicopathological factors and prognosis of patients were investigated. RESULTS: Median IL-6 level was significantly higher in patients with colorectal cancer than in normal controls. High levels of serum IL-6 (>12 pg/ml) were correlated with larger tumor size, elevated serum CRP levels, and liver metastases (P < 0.05). IL-6 levels also increased in a stage-related manner (P < 0.01). Although serum IL-6 correlated with survival, it is not an independent prognostic indicator. CONCLUSIONS: Serum IL-6 levels correlated with disease status of colorectal cancer but could not be regarded as an independent predictor for prognosis.     

Impact of delirium and recall on the level of distress in patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers

BACKGROUND:

Delirium has been the most frequent neuropsychiatric complication in patients with advanced cancer. This exploratory study aimed to determine the proportion of patients who were able to recall their experience of delirium and the level of distress experienced by patients, family caregivers, and healthcare professionals.

METHODS:

Patients with advanced cancer who had completely recovered from an acute delirium episode, had Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale score <13, and had a family caregiver present during the delirium were studied. Patients were given the Delirium Experience Questionnaire. Patients' and family caregivers' demographics, and the frequency and distress associated with different delirium symptoms were also collected. Bedside nurses and palliative care specialists reported the frequency of recalled delirium symptoms and their distress score.

RESULTS:

A total of 99 patient/family caregiver dyads participated in the study. The main identified causes for delirium were opioids, infection, brain metastases, hypercalcemia, and dehydration. There were 73 patients (74%) who remembered the episode of being delirious, with 59 of 73 patients (81%) reporting the experience as distressing (median distress level of 3). The median overall delirium distress score was higher in family caregivers (median, 3; 25%‐75% quartile, 2‐4) than in patients (median, 2; 25%‐75% quartile, 0‐3) (P = .0004). Bedside nurses and palliative care specialists expressed low median overall delirium distress scores (median, 0; 25%‐75% quartile 0‐1).

CONCLUSIONS:

The majority of patients with advanced cancer recalled their experience of delirium, causing moderate to severe distress in both patients and family caregivers. Appropriate interventions to reduce this distress are needed. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.     

Determinants of overall quality of life in preterminal cancer patients

Recently, a few studies reported that fatigue was a predominant contributor to patient-perceived overall QoL in patients with different types of cancer in a relatively early stage of disease. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether fatigue is also a major contributor to overall QoL in preterminal cancer patients. Ninety-eight preterminal cancer patients, mainly lung (44%) and gastrointestinal cancer (25%), with an estimated life expectancy of 1-6 months were included. QoL domains as well as overall QoL were measured using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Data were analysed by Pearson's correlations and multivariate modelling. Fatigue showed the strongest correlation with overall QoL (r = -0.63, p < 0.001), followed in decreasing order by role functioning (r = 0.53), physical functioning (r = 0.47), social functioning (r = 0.44), nausea (r = -0.37), cognitive functioning (r = 0.33), appetite loss (r = -0.31), dyspnea (r = -0.26) and emotional functioning (r = 0.24). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the fatigue scale paid by far the highest individual contribution to overall QoL (standardized regression coefficient (SRC): -0.41, p = 0.002), followed by social functioning (SRC: 0.18, p = 0.05). None of the other domains or symptom scales contributed independently to overall QoL. Our results clearly demonstrate that, in preterminal cancer patients, fatigue is a major contributor of overall QoL, corroborating reports in cancer patients in earlier disease stages.     

Self‐efficacy beliefs and levels of anxiety in advanced cancer patients

MYSTAKIDOU K., TSILIKA E., PARPA E., GOGOU P., THEODORAKIS P. & VLAHOS L. (2010) European Journal of Cancer Care 19 , 205–211
Self‐efficacy beliefs and levels of anxiety in advanced cancer patients The aims of this study were to investigate the self‐efficacy and anxiety in advanced cancer patients in a palliative care unit. The subject is some 99 advanced cancer patients, treated for pain relief and cancer‐related symptoms. Patients completed the General Perceived Self‐Efficacy Scale (GSE) and the Spielberger's State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group was used to measure patients' performance status. Statistically significant associations were found between GSE, patients' gender, performance status, opioids and all the STAI scales. The multiple regression analysis revealed that self‐efficacy was predicted by patients' age, performance status, gender, as well as by their high levels on two STAI scales, in a model explaining 39.7% of the total variance. In advanced cancer patients, self‐efficacy is significantly correlated with levels of anxiety, patients' physical condition and demographic characteristics. Also, it seems to be influenced by components of the STAI, patients' age, physical performance and gender.     

Satisfaction with care of hospitalised patients with advanced cancer in the Netherlands

We aimed to assess the level of satisfaction with hospital care of patients with advanced cancer and its association with quality of life and other patient characteristics. Eligible patients were asked to fill out the EORTC INPATSAT‐32 questionnaire, measuring patient satisfaction, and the EORTC QLQ‐C15‐PAL, measuring quality of life. Factor analysis was performed to identify underlying patterns in satisfaction. Multivariable regression analyses were used to assess associations of quality of life and other patient characteristics with satisfaction. A total of 105 patients participated in the study. The mean general satisfaction score was 72 (SD 21). Factor analysis identified three underlying dimensions: satisfaction with nurses (explaining 62.1% of the total variance), satisfaction with physicians (7.7%) and satisfaction with hospital services (5.3%). Associations were found between global health and general satisfaction (β = 0.35, p = 0.01), and between emotional functioning and satisfaction with hospital services (β = 0.016, p < 0.01). Further, diagnosis of breast cancer was associated with satisfaction with physicians (β = 1.06, p < 0.01) and dyspnoea with satisfaction with hospital services (β = 0.007, p = 0.03). Patients with advanced cancer are reasonably satisfied with hospital care. The INPATSAT‐32 mainly measures satisfaction with nurses. Satisfaction with care and quality of life seems to represent distinct outcomes of hospital care in patients with advanced cancer.     

Nutritional status and cytokine-related protein breakdown in elderly patients with gastrointestinal malignancies

BACKGROUND: Age-related factors affecting cytokine-related whole-body protein breakdown and their relation to clinical outcomes in cancer patients were investigated. METHODS: For assessment of protein-calorie malnutrition and protein breakdown, the creatinine height index (CHI) and daily urinary excretion of 3-methylhistidine (3-MH) were measured in 70 patients with gastrointestinal malignancies. Perioperative cytokine profile was evaluated to assess its relation to perioperative protein catabolism. RESULTS: In elderly patients, daily 3-MH excretion during the stable preoperative period decreased with the increase of tumor interleukin (IL)-6 production, suggestive of the activation of a metabolic compensation mechanism. However, these patients showed significant increases in postoperative 3-MH excretion in accord with perioperative systemic IL-6 response, and this deterioration of the compensating mechanism seemed to be associated with poor clinical outcome. An increase in 3-MH excretion under surgical stress was positively correlated with postoperative consumption of IL-6 soluble receptor (sR) in elderly patients with nutritional depletion. CONCLUSIONS: In elderly cancer patients with protein-calorie malnutrition, metabolic compliance against intrinsic IL-6 may be compensated for in the preoperative stable period, but deteriorate from surgical insults. This mechanism might involve increased affinity of IL-6 with IL-6sR under surgical stress.     

Age- and sex-standardised prevalence rates of fatigue in a large hospital-based sample of cancer patients

Background:

The aim of this longitudinal study was to determine age- and sex-standardised prevalence rates of cancer-related fatigue in different groups of patients.

Methods:

This was a prospective study in a cohort of N=1494 cancer patients investigating fatigue at three time points t1–t3 (t1: admission to hospital, t2: discharge, t3: half a year after t1). Fatigue was measured with the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory. Age- and sex-adjusted norms were derived from a representative community sample of N=2037, using a cutoff at the 75th percentile.

Results:

At admission to the hospital, 32% of the patients were classified as fatigued. At discharge, the overall prevalence rate was 40%, and at half a year after t1, prevalence was 34%. Fatigue prevalence rates differed according to tumour stage, site, age, and sex of the patients.

Conclusion:

The prevalence rates provided by this study can be used for the planning of research and clinical routine.     

Implementing improved post-treatment care for cancer survivors in England,with reflections from Australia,Canada and the USA

Increasing cancer incidence together with improved survival rates are contributing to the growing number of cancer survivors. Survivors may encounter a range of potential effects as a result of the cancer itself or cancer treatments. Traditionally, the major focus of follow-up care has been on detection of cancer recurrence; however, the efficacy of such strategies is questionable. Traditional follow-up frequently fails to identify or adequately address many survivors'' concerns. Aftercare needs to be planned to enable better outcomes for survivors, while using scarce health-care resources efficiently. This review focuses on provision of survivorship care, rather than on research. England''s National Cancer Survivorship Initiative has developed principles for improved care of those living with and beyond cancer. These include risk-stratified pathways of care, the use of treatment summaries and care plans, information and education to enable choice and the confidence to self manage, rapid re-access to specialist care, remote monitoring and well-coordinated care. Many of these principles are relevant internationally, though preferred models of care will depend on local circumstances.     

Resistance training improves fatigue and quality of life in previously sedentary breast cancer survivors: a randomised controlled trial

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of resistance training (RT) on quality of life (QOL) and fatigue in breast cancer survivors as an adjunct to usual care. We recruited 39 women who had survived breast cancer [mean age (y) 51.9 ± 8.8; time since diagnosis (m) 11.6 ± 13.2]. Primary outcomes were fatigue as assessed by the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy – Fatigue (FACIT) scale and QOL as assessed by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – General (FACT‐G) scale. ANCOVA was used to assess the change in the primary outcomes while controlling for baseline values, with effect sizes (ES) displayed as partial Eta squared. The experimental group received supervised RT 3 days per week in a university clinic for 16 weeks. Perceptions of fatigue improved significantly in the RT group compared to controls [mean (SD) 6.7 (7.5) points vs. 1.5 (3.7) points], (P = 0.006, ES = 0.20) as did QOL [6.9 (8.5) points vs. 1.6 (4.4) points], (P = 0.015, ES = 0.16). We demonstrated both statistically and clinically important improvements in fatigue and QOL in response to RT in breast cancer survivors.     

Preparatory grief, psychological distress and hopelessness in advanced cancer patients

A study was undertaken to evaluate the preparatory grief process in advanced cancer patients and its relationship with hopelessness, depression and anxiety. In total, 94 advanced cancer patients treated in a Pain Relief and Palliative Care Unit completed the Preparatory Grief in Advanced Cancer Patients (PGAC) Scale, the Greek Hospital Anxiety and Depression (G-HAD) scales, and a measure of hopelessness the Beck Hopelessness Scale. The strongest correlation was found between grief and hopelessness ( r  = 0.63, P  < 0.0005) and PGAC-1 'self-consciousness' ( r  = 0.54, P  < 0.0005). Similarly, strong associations revealed between PGAC total with anxiety (HAD-D) and depression (HAD-D) ( P  < 0.0005). Significant associations were depicted between hopelessness, depression and anxiety with PGAC-total as well as with its components. Statistically significant associations were also obtained between grief, metastases ( P  = 0.073) and education ( P  = 0.043). In the multiple regression analysis (enter method), anxiety ( P  < 0.0005) was the strongest predictor of preparatory grief followed by hopelessness ( P  = 0.002), presence of metastases ( P  = 0.004) and depression ( P  = 0.033). Depression, hopelessness, anxiety and terminally ill patients' metastases contribute to the prediction of preparatory grief in this population.