Sarcopenic obesity and myosteatosis are associated with higher mortality in patients with cirrhosis.

Background And Aims: Obesity is frequently associated with cirrhosis, and cirrhotic patients may develop simultaneous loss of skeletal muscle and gain of adipose tissue, culminating in the condition of sarcopenic obesity. Additionally, muscle depletion is characterized by both a reduction in muscle size and increased proportion of muscular fat, termed myosteatosis. In this study, we aimed to establish the frequency and clinical significance of sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity and myosteatosis in cirrhotic patients.

Physical activity interests and preferences of cancer patients with brain metastases: a cross-sectional survey.

Background: Physical activity has been shown to positively impact cancer-related fatigue, physical functioning and quality of life outcomes in early stage cancer patients, however its role at the end stage of cancer has yet to be determined. Brain metastases are amongst the most common neurological complications of advanced cancer, with significant deterioration in fatigue and quality of life. The purpose of the present study was to examine the physical activity interests and preferences of cancer patients with brain metastases initiating palliative whole brain radiotherapy.

Inclusion of Sarcopenia Within MELD (MELD-Sarcopenia) and the Prediction of Mortality in Patients With Cirrhosis.

Objectives: Limitations of the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score include its failure to assess the nutritional and functional status of cirrhotic patients. Our objectives were to evaluate the impact of sarcopenia in cirrhosis and whether the inclusion of muscularity assessment within MELD could improve the prediction of mortality in patients with cirrhosis.

Methods: We included 669 cirrhotic patients who were consecutively evaluated for liver transplantation.

Correlates of objectively measured sedentary behavior in cancer patients with brain metastases: an application of the theory of planned behavior.

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the demographic, medical, and social-cognitive correlates of objectively measured sedentary behavior in advanced cancer patients with brain metastases.

Methods: Advanced cancer patients diagnosed with brain metastases, aged 18 years or older, cognitively intact, and with palliative performance scale greater than 30%, were recruited from a Rapid Access Palliative Radiotherapy Program multidisciplinary brain metastases clinic. A cross-sectional survey interview assessed the theory of planned behavior variables and medical and demographic information.

Severe muscle depletion predicts postoperative length of stay but is not associated with survival after liver transplantation.

Muscle depletion or sarcopenia is associated with increased mortality in patients with cirrhosis; how it affects mortality after liver transplantation requires further study. In this study, we aimed to establish whether sarcopenia predicts increased morbidity or mortality after liver transplantation. We analyzed 248 patients with cirrhosis who had a computed tomography (CT) scan including the third lumbar vertebra before liver transplantation.

Associations between objectively measured physical activity and quality of life in cancer patients with brain metastases.

Context: Physical activity has demonstrated benefits for quality of life (QoL) and cancer-related fatigue earlier in the cancer trajectory; however, less is known regarding its role in patients with end-stage cancer.

Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to examine the association between objectively measured physical activity and QoL in cancer patients with brain metastases.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with brain metastases, aged 18 years or older, cognitively intact, and with Palliative Performance Scale scores greater than 30%, were recruited from a multidisciplinary brain metastases clinic.

Sarcopenia as a prognostic index of nutritional status in concurrent cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background And Aims: Abnormal body composition such as severe skeletal muscle depletion or sarcopenia has emerged as an independent predictor of clinical outcomes in a variety of clinical conditions. This study is the first study to report the frequency and prognostic significance of sarcopenia as a marker of nutritional status in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: We analyzed 116 patients with HCC who were consecutively evaluated for liver transplant.

The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, a proposed tool for distress screening in cancer patients: development and refinement.

Objective: The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) has been proposed as one element of a distress screening strategy in cancer patients. It consists of 11-point numerical rating scales for self-report of nine common symptoms of cancer, with a 10th scale for a patient-specific symptom. The ESAS has undergone widespread adoption internationally for clinical, research and administrative purposes.

A multicenter study comparing two numerical versions of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System in palliative care patients.

Context: The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) is a widely used, self-report symptom intensity tool for assessing nine common symptoms in palliative care, with ratings ranging from 0 (none, best) to 10 (worst). Based on a "think-aloud" study of 20 advanced cancer patients, the ESAS was revised (ESAS-r).

Objectives: To compare the consistency of patients' symptom ratings and obtain patient perspectives regarding ease of understanding and completion between the ESAS and ESAS-r.

The Edmonton symptom assessment system--what do patients think?

Goals Of Work: The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) is a tool for self-reporting of symptom intensity, initially developed for advanced cancer patients. It consists of numerical rating scales for nine common symptoms, with the option of adding a tenth. Despite its widespread use in palliative care, few studies have focused on its psychometric properties, with none involving patient perspectives.

The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System: a 15-year retrospective review of validation studies (1991--2006).

Introduction: The purpose of this review was to identify and critique validation studies focusing on the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), a commonly used symptom assessment tool for advanced cancer and palliative patients.

Methods: Using a comprehensive literature search, the authors identified and screened 87 publications. Thirteen articles were selected for in-depth review, based on the following inclusion criteria: psychometric studies with a primary focus on the ESAS, 1991--2006 publication dates and peer-reviewed English language publications.