Health-related quality of life among women diagnosed with in situ or invasive breast cancer and age-matched controls: a population-based study.

Purpose: A breast cancer (BC) diagnosis may negatively affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, there are few comparisons of HRQoL at several time points for women with BC, and particular when subdivided into invasive and in situ tumors. The purpose of this study was to investigate various aspects of HRQoL in women recently diagnosed with invasive BC or ductal carcinoma in situ (in situ) compared to age-matched BC free controls in a population-wide sample recruited through the Cancer Registry of Norway.

How Did Breast Cancer Patients Fare during Different Phases of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Norway Compared to Age-Matched Controls?

Little is known about how health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in breast cancer cases differed from that of controls during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study used data from an ongoing, nationwide HRQoL survey of 4279 newly diagnosed breast cancer cases and 2911 controls to investigate how breast cancer patients fared during different phases of the pandemic compared to controls. Responders during 2020-2022 were categorized into three COVID-19-related phases: the social restrictions phase, the high infection rate phase, and the post-pandemic phase.

Better stoma care using the Stoma App: does it help? A first randomized double-blind clinical trial on the effect of mobile healthcare on quality of life in stoma patients.

Background: Receiving a stoma significantly impacts patients' quality of life. Coping with this new situation can be difficult, which may result in a variety of physical and psychosocial problems. It is essential to provide adequate guidance to help patients cope with their stoma, as this positively influences self-efficacy in return.

Coping After Breast Cancer: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial of Stress Management eHealth Interventions.

Background: One-third or more of breast cancer survivors report stress and other psychological and physical complaints that can negatively impact their quality of life. Psychosocial stress management interventions, shown to mitigate the negative impact of these complaints, can now be delivered as accessible and convenient (for the patient and provider) eHealth interventions. In this randomized controlled trial (RCT), Coping After Breast Cancer (CABC), 2 modified versions of the stress management eHealth intervention program StressProffen were created: one with predominantly cognitive behavioral stress management content (StressProffen-cognitive behavioral therapy intervention [StressProffen-CBI]) and another with predominantly mindfulness-based stress management content (StressProffen-mindfulness-based intervention [StressProffen-MBI]).

Effectiveness of the online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy intervention "Embrace Pain" for cancer survivors with chronic painful chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: About 30% of cancer survivors suffer from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) ≥6 months after completion of chemotherapy. This condition, for which treatment options are scarce, comes with limitations in daily life functioning and decreased quality of life. The current study examines the effectiveness of an online self-help intervention based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in comparison to a waiting list condition (WLC) to deal with CIPN.

Impact of Age on Multimodality Treatment and Survival in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Patients.

Background: Optimal treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer is neoadjuvant (chemo)radiation followed by radical surgery. This is challenging in the aging population because of frequently concomitant comorbidity. We analyzed whether age below and above 70 years is associated with differences in treatment strategy and outcome in this population-based study.

Engaging with EPIO, a digital pain self-management program: a qualitative study.

Background: Chronic pain conditions entail significant personal and societal burdens and improved outreach of evidence-based pain self-management programs are needed. Digital cognitive-behavioral self-management interventions have shown promise. However, evidence is still scarce and several challenges with such interventions for chronic pain exist.

Postoperative mortality risk assessment in colorectal cancer: development and validation of a clinical prediction model using data from the Dutch ColoRectal Audit.

Background: As the outcome of modern colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery has significantly improved over the years, however, renewed and adequate risk stratification for mortality is important to identify high-risk patients. This population-based study was conducted to analyse postoperative outcomes in patients with CRC and to create a risk model for 30-day mortality.

Methods: Data from the Dutch Colorectal Audit were used to assess differences in postoperative outcomes (30-day mortality, hospital stay, blood transfusion, postoperative complications) in patients with CRC treated from 2009 to 2017.

Incidence, treatment and relative survival of early-onset colorectal cancer in the Netherlands since 1989.

Aim: Previous studies showed that the incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (EO-CRC, diagnosis <50 years) is rising in Western countries. Additionally, young patients present with more advanced disease. Integrated nationwide assessment of epidemiologically and clinically relevant trends would provide more insight into this specific group of patients with CRC.

Predictors of undergoing multivisceral resection, margin status and survival in Dutch patients with locally advanced colorectal cancer.

Background: The aim of this nationwide observational study was to evaluate factors associated with multivisceral resection (MVR), margin status and overall survival in locally advanced colorectal cancer (CRC).

Material And Methods: Patients with (y)pT4, cM0 CRC between 2006 and 2017 were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Cox-proportional hazards modelling was used for survival analysis, stratified for T4a and T4b.

Hospital variation in sphincter-preservation rates in rectal cancer treatment: results of a population-based study in the Netherlands.

Background: This study aimed to examine the sphincter-preservation rate variations in rectal cancer surgery. The influence of hospital volume on sphincter-preservation rates and short-term outcomes (anastomotic leakage (AL), positive circumferential resection margin (CRM), 30- and 90-day mortality rates) were also analysed.

Methods: Non-metastasized rectal cancer patients treated between 2009 and 2016 were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry.

The Association Between Modifiable Lifestyle Factors and Postoperative Complications of Elective Surgery in Patients With Colorectal Cancer.

Background: Research has demonstrated a possible relation between patients' preoperative lifestyle and postoperative complications.

Objective: This study aimed to assess associations between modifiable preoperative lifestyle factors and postoperative complications in patients undergoing elective surgery for colorectal cancer.

Design: This is a retrospective study of a prospectively maintained database.

Persistent High Rate of Positive Margins and Postoperative Complications After Surgery for cT4 Rectal Cancer at a National Level.

Background: A more extensive resection is often required in locally advanced rectal cancer, depending on preoperative neoadjuvant treatment response.

Objective: Circumferential margin involvement and postoperative outcomes after total mesorectal excision and multivisceral resection were assessed in patients with clinical locally advanced (cT4) rectal cancer at a national level.

Design: This is a population-based study.

Effect of a Preoperative Home-Delivered, Protein-Rich Meal Service to Improve Protein Intake in Surgical Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The preoperative period likely provides an important opportunity to improve postoperative recovery, as suggested by the finding that low nutrition status is a predictor of increased postoperative complications and longer length of stay (LOS). It was investigated whether a home-delivered, protein-rich meal service improves protein intake relative to requirements within 3 weeks prior to surgery compared to usual care (UC).

Methods: This randomized controlled trial included adults (n = 126) with planned surgery performed at the orthopedics, urology, gynecology, or general surgery departments.

MyStrengths, a Strengths-Focused Mobile Health Tool: Participatory Design and Development.

Background: People living with chronic illnesses are an increasingly large group. Research indicates that care and self-management should not only focus on the illness and problem-oriented aspects of these individuals' lives but also support them in recognizing and leveraging their personal strengths in daily life.

Objective: This paper presents the design and developmental process of MyStrengths, a mobile health (mHealth) app designed to help its users (people with chronic conditions) both find and make use of their personal strengths in their daily lives.

Spirituality and Emotional Distress Among Lung Cancer Survivors.

Background: Emerging research is highlighting the importance of spirituality in cancer survivorship as well as the importance of early distress screening. The purpose of this study was to prospectively examine the relationships among spirituality, emotional distress, and sociodemographic variables during the early period of lung cancer survivorship.

Patients And Methods: Eight hundred sixty-four lung cancer survivors completed the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being, and the Short-Form-8 for emotional distress within the first year after lung cancer diagnosis, and 474 of these survivors completed the survey again 1 year later.

Pilot testing an app-based stress management intervention for cancer survivors.

Psychosocial eHealth intervention programs for cancer survivors are still in their infancy, with inconsistent findings so far in the scientific literature. The aim of this study was to explore system use, usefulness, ease of use, and preliminary effects of Stress Proffen, an app-based cognitive-behavioral stress management intervention for patients with cancer. A feasibility pilot project tested the intervention with cancer survivors (N = 25).

Pain is associated with reduced quality of life and functional status in patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Background and aims Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is challenging to live with, often accompanied by pervasive fatigue and pain, accompanied by decreased quality of life (QoL) as well as anxiety and/or depression. Associations between higher pain, lower QoL and higher anxiety and depression have been shown in patients with various chronic pain disorders. Few studies have however examined such associations in a sample of patients with ME/CFS.

Self-Regulatory Fatigue: A Missing Link in Understanding Fibromyalgia and Other Chronic MultiSymptom Illnesses.

Objective: Patients with chronic multisymptom illnesses such as fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) are experiencing a multitude of physical and mental challenges. Facing such challenges may drain capacity to self-regulate, and research suggests patients with these illnesses may experience self-regulatory fatigue (SRF). This study sought to examine whether SRF can be associated with quality of life (QoL) in patients with FMS.

Self-regulatory fatigue in chronic multisymptom illnesses: scale development, fatigue, and self-control.

Background: Self-regulatory capacity involves ability to regulate thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Chronic multisymptom illnesses such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are accompanied by numerous challenges, and have recently been associated with self-regulatory fatigue (SRF). Chronic multisymptom illnesses are also frequently associated with physical fatigue, and through development of a scale measuring SRF, the current study aimed to examine how SRF can be distinguished from physical fatigue.

Outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy conversion: is the surgeon's selection needed?

Background: Risk factors for conversion in cholecystectomy may be of clinical value. This study aimed to investigate whether a set of risk factors, including the surgeon's specialization, can be used for the development of a preoperative strategy to optimize conversion outcome.

Methods: The data for all patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy at a single institution between January 2004 and December 2008 were retrospectively reviewed.

Output order reflects the cognitive accessibility of goals.

Goal accessibility--the ease or speed with which a goal is activated--increases the likelihood that it will be acted on. The present studies validate output order as a measure of goal accessibility that can be applied to goal lists in both laboratory and naturalistic settings. In three studies, output order (the order in which goals are listed in a free-response format) was related to self-reported goal value but was not redundant with it.