scholarly journals Exploring evidence of fatigue in survivors of paediatric brain tumours: a systematic review

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S302-S302
Author(s):  
Jennifer Wood ◽  
Sarah Verity

AimsAs the number of survivors of childhood brain tumor grows, fatigue is being increasingly recorded as a long-term consequence of both the cancer itself and the treatment received. Survivors of childhood brain tumour report more significant fatigue than children with other cancers, often impacting all aspects of life, including academic attainment, self-concept and social relationships with peers, leading to reduced health-related quality of life.This study aimed to systematically evaluate the evidence for fatigue in paediatric brain tumour survivors.MethodA systematic search using EMBASE, MEDLINE and PsycINFO identified 20 papers meeting the inclusion criteria. Scientific rigor was used throughout by following Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (2015) guidance for systematic reviews. Quality Assessment of Evidence Rating tool - Fatigue (QAERT) was developed with substantial inter-rater agreement found.Result19 of the 20 studies reviewed showed conclusive evidence of fatigue in survivors of paediatric brain tumour. One study offered adequate evidence that there was no difference in levels of fatigue in paediatric cancer survivors, including survivors of paediatric brain tumour, when compared to healthy controls. Three studies found that fatigue was worse in survivors of paediatric brain tumour when compared to survivors of other paediatric cancersConclusionThis review provides evidence for the presence of fatigue in survivors of paediatric brain tumour. However, the construct of fatigue was poorly defined throughout, with fatigue associated with physical effects of treatment and fatigue associated with long-term cognitive impairment not distinguished. This poor construct validity, coupled with a lack of comparison groups in 12 of the 20 studies, reduces the generalizability of the data and its usefulness for developing effective psychological interventions. Further research is needed, built on a clear fatigue construct definition, and including well defined exclusion criteria, to provide a sound basis for improving the quality of life of these children.

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mads G. Jørgensen ◽  
Navid M. Toyserkani ◽  
Frederik G. Hansen ◽  
Anette Bygum ◽  
Jens A. Sørensen

AbstractThe impact of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) on long-term quality of life is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of BCRL on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) up to 10 years after breast cancer treatment. This regional population-based study enrolled patients treated for breast cancer with axillary lymph node dissection between January 1st 2007 and December 31th 2017. Follow up and assessments of the included patients were conducted between January 2019 and May 2020. The study outcome was HRQoL, evaluated with the Lymphedema Functioning, Disability and Health Questionnaire, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire and the Short Form (36) Health Survey Questionnaire. Multivariate linear logistic regression models adjusted for confounders provided mean score differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals in each HRQoL scale and item. This study enrolled 244 patients with BCRL and 823 patients without BCRL. Patients with BCRL had significantly poorer HRQoL than patients without BCRL in 16 out of 18 HRQoL subscales, for example, in physical function (MDs 27, 95%CI: 24; 30), mental health (MDs 24, 95%CI: 21; 27) and social role functioning (MDs 20, 95%CI: 17; 23). Age, BMI, BCRL severity, hand and dominant arm affection had only minor impact on HRQoL (MDs < 5), suggesting a high degree of inter-individual variation in coping with lymphedema. This study showed that BCRL is associated with long-term impairments in HRQoL, especially affecting the physical and psychosocial domains. Surprisingly, BCRL diagnosis rather than clinical severity drove the largest impairments in HRQoL.


2021 ◽  
pp. 000313482198905
Author(s):  
John A. Perrone ◽  
Stephanie Yee ◽  
Manrique Guerrero ◽  
Antai Wang ◽  
Brian Hanley ◽  
...  

Introduction After extensive mediastinal dissection fails to achieve adequate intra-abdominal esophageal length, a Collis gastroplasty(CG) is recommended to decrease axial tension and reduce hiatal hernia recurrence. However, concerns exist about staple line leak, and long-term symptoms of heartburn and dysphagia due to the acid-producing neoesophagus which lacks peristaltic activity. This study aimed to assess long-term satisfaction and GERD-related quality of life after robotic fundoplication with CG (wedge fundectomy technique) and to compare outcomes to patients who underwent fundoplication without CG. Outcomes studied included patient satisfaction, resumption of proton pump inhibitors (PPI), length of surgery (LOS), hospital stay, and reintervention. Methods This was a single-center retrospective analysis of patients from January 2017 through December 2018 undergoing elective robotic hiatal hernia repair and fundoplication. 61 patients were contacted for follow-up, of which 20 responded. Of those 20 patients, 7 had a CG performed during surgery while 13 did not. There was no significant difference in size and type of hiatal hernias in the 2 groups. These patients agreed to give their feedback via a GERD health-related quality of life (GERD HRQL) questionnaire. Their medical records were reviewed for LOS, length of hospital stay (LOH), and reintervention needed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v 25. Satisfaction and need for PPIs were compared between the treatment and control groups using the chi-square test of independence. Results Statistical analysis showed that satisfaction with outcome and PPI resumption was not significantly different between both groups ( P > .05). There was a significant difference in the average ranks between the 2 groups for the question on postoperative dysphagia on the follow-up GERD HRQL questionnaire, with the group with CG reporting no dysphagia. There were no significant differences in the average ranks between the 2 groups for the remaining 15 questions ( P > .05). The median LOS was longer in patients who had a CG compared to patients who did not (250 vs. 148 min) ( P = .01). The LOH stay was not significantly different ( P > .05) with a median length of stay of 2 days observed in both groups. There were no leaks in the Collis group and no reoperations, conversions, or blood transfusions needed in either group. Conclusion Collis gastroplasty is a safe option to utilize for short esophagus noted despite extensive mediastinal mobilization and does not adversely affect the LOH stay, need for reoperation, or patient long-term satisfaction.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Cihat Uzunköprü ◽  
Yesim Beckmann ◽  
Sabiha Türe

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of fingolimod in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS); secondary aims were to describe the safety of fingolimod with the evaluation of treatment satisfaction and impact on the quality of life in real life. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We collected clinical, demographical, neuroradiological, and treatment data, including pre- and posttreatment status health-related quality of life from 286 MS patients consecutively treated with fingolimod. Clinical assessment was based on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and quality of life assessment was performed with MS-related quality of life inventory (MSQOLI). The data were recorded at baseline and every 6 months for 2 years. <b><i>Results:</i></b> One hundred and fourteen males and 172 females were enrolled. The annualized relapse rate and EDSS showed a statistically significant reduction during the observation period (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). The patients also demonstrated substantial improvements in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). Health-related quality of life scores improved significantly between baseline and 24-month visit (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). No serious adverse events occurred. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> In our cohort, fingolimod treatment was associated with reduced relapse, MRI activity, and improved EDSS and MSQOLI scores. Additionally, fingolimod has been able to maintain its effectiveness over a considerable long period of treatment.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e049292
Author(s):  
Edward Baker ◽  
Ceri Battle ◽  
Abhishek Banjeri ◽  
Edward Carlton ◽  
Christine Dixon ◽  
...  

ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the long-term outcomes and health-related quality of life in patients with blunt thoracic injuries over 6 months from hospital discharge and develop models to predict long-term patient-reported outcomes.DesignA prospective observational study using longitudinal survey design.SettingThe study recruitment was undertaken at 12 UK hospitals which represented diverse geographical locations and covered urban, suburban and rural areas across England and Wales.Participants337 patients admitted to hospital with blunt thoracic injuries were recruited between June 2018–October 2020.MethodsParticipants completed a bank of two quality of life surveys (Short Form-12 (SF-12) and EuroQol 5-Dimensions 5-Levels) and two pain questionnaires (Brief Pain Inventory and painDETECT Questionnaire) at four time points over the first 6 months after discharge from hospital. A total of 211 (63%) participants completed the outcomes data at 6 months after hospital discharge.Outcomes measuresThree outcomes were measured using pre-existing and validated patient-reported outcome measures. Outcomes included: Poor physical function (SF-12 Physical Component Score); chronic pain (Brief Pain Inventory Pain Severity Score); and neuropathic pain (painDETECT Questionnaire).ResultsDespite a trend towards improving physical functional and pain at 6 months, outcomes did not return to participants perceived baseline level of function. At 6 months after hospital discharge, 37% (n=77) of participants reported poor physical function; 36.5% (n=77) reported a chronic pain state; and 22% (n=47) reported pain with a neuropathic component. Predictive models were developed for each outcome highlighting important data collection requirements for predicting long-term outcomes in this population. Model diagnostics including calibration and discrimination statistics suggested good model fit in this development cohort.ConclusionsThis study identified the recovery trajectories for patients with blunt thoracic injuries over the first 6 months after hospital discharge and present prognostic models for three important outcomes which after external validation could be used as clinical risk stratification scores.


Author(s):  
Akio Miyasaka ◽  
Yuichi Yoshida ◽  
Akiko Suzuki ◽  
Yasuhiro Takikawa

Abstract Purpose Long-term effects on patient health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) are unknown. We assessed the impact of DAA-mediated HCV clearance on HRQoL from DAA initiation to 1 year after confirmed sustained virological response at 24 weeks post-treatment (SVR24). Methods HRQoL was evaluated using the eight-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-8). Chronic HCV-infected patients were treated for 12 weeks with sofosbuvir-based DAAs. SF-8 was administered at baseline, treatment cessation, SVR24, and 1-year post-SVR24. Results A total of 109 chronic HCV-infected patients were enrolled. The average SF-8 scores were higher than the Japanese national standard values for bodily pain (BP) and mental health at baseline and for general health at 1-year post-SVR24. None of the SF-8 scores differed significantly between baseline and 1-year post-SVR24. Regarding age, sex, liver status, and treatment regimen, the SF-8 scores at 1-year post-SVR24 were affected by only age; individuals aged < 65 years had significantly higher physical component score (PCS), physical functioning, role physical, and BP scores than older individuals. In the multivariable analysis, only age of ≥ 65 years was significantly associated with influencing PCS at 1-year post-SVR24. However, no significant factors were identified for mental component score. Conclusion Upon long-term assessment, although more factors trended higher than national standard values at 1-year post-SVR24 than at baseline, there were no significant changes within factors. As PCS tended to be associated with age, patients aged ≥ 65 years should be carefully monitored for PCS.


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