Optimizing Intravenous Patient-Controlled Analgesia for Cancer Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial on Adjusted Background Infusion Rates.

Purpose: Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) has been considered for managing cancer pain; however, limited research has been conducted on optimizing continuous infusion rates with PCA. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a method that optimizes background infusion (BI) alongside PCA for titrating intravenous (IV) morphine in managing cancer-related pain.

Methods: Forty-four patients with solid tumors who could not manage pain with oral or transdermal opioid analgesics were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive IV morphine through PCA or the conventional method.

Clinicians' Prediction of Survival Is Most Useful for Palliative Care Referral.

Background: Timely palliative transition in patients with advanced cancer is essential for their improved quality of life and overall survival (OS). Most prognostic models have been developed focusing on weeks' survival. The current study aimed to compare the accuracies of several indicators, such as the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS), Clinicians' Prediction of Survival (CPS), and Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), for predicting the survival of patients.

Machine learning-based model to predict delirium in patients with advanced cancer treated with palliative care: a multicenter, patient-based registry cohort.

This study aimed to present a new approach to predict to delirium admitted to the acute palliative care unit. To achieve this, this study employed machine learning model to predict delirium in patients in palliative care and identified the significant features that influenced the model. A multicenter, patient-based registry cohort study in South Korea between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020.

Opioid use and subsequent delirium risk in patients with advanced cancer in palliative care: a multicenter registry study.

The prevalent use of opioids for pain management in patients with advanced cancer underscores the need for research on their neuropsychiatric impacts, particularly delirium. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the potential association between opioid use and the risk of delirium in patients with advanced cancer admitted to the acute palliative care unit. We conducted a retrospective observational study utilizing a multicenter, patient-based registry cohort by collecting the data from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020, in South Korea.

Development of a Prediction Model for Delirium in Hospitalized Patients with Advanced Cancer.

Purpose: Delirium is a common neurocognitive disorder in patients with advanced cancer and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. As a potentially reversible phenomenon, early recognition of delirium by identifying the risk factors demands attention. We aimed to develop a model to predict the occurrence of delirium in hospitalized patients with advanced cancer.

New treatment options for nonsurgical management of uterine fibroids.

Purpose Of Review: Uterine fibroids is a common problem in reproductive-age individuals, frequently causing abnormal uterine bleeding, bulk symptoms, and adverse reproductive outcomes. Traditionally, almost half of the women with symptomatic fibroids received surgery for definitive treatment. There are a growing number of nonsurgical options for treatment that have become available for patients who desire conservative treatment or those with contraindications to surgery.

Acceptance of genetic editing and of whole genome sequencing of human embryos by patients with infertility before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research Question: Has acceptance of heritable genome editing (HGE) and whole genome sequencing for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-WGS) of human embryos changed after the onset of COVID-19 among infertility patients?

Design: A written survey conducted between April and June 2018 and July and December 2021 among patients at a university-affiliated infertility practice. The questionnaire ascertained the acceptance of HGE for specific therapeutic or genetic 'enhancement' indications and of PGT-WGS to prevent adult disease.

Results: In 2021 and 2018, 172 patients and 469 patients (response rates: 90% and 91%, respectively) completed the questionnaire.

Recurrence, Reoperation, Pregnancy Rates, and Risk Factors for Recurrence after Ovarian Endometrioma Surgery: Long-Term Follow-Up of 756 Women.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to evaluate the cumulative recurrence, reoperation, and pregnancy rates after ovarian endometrioma surgery at a single institution for more than a 5-year follow-up period.

Materials And Methods: This study was conducted as a retrospective chart review of patients with ovarian endometrioma who underwent surgery between January 2008 and March 2016. Study subjects included premenopausal women with at least 5 years of follow-up.

Outcomes of an Acute Palliative Care Unit at a Comprehensive Cancer Center in Korea.

Background: The acute palliative care unit (APCU) bridges between active cancer treatment and hospice care. However, no study has proven the efficacy of APCU in Korea.

Objective: To evaluate the first-year outcomes of the patients admitted to an APCU at a tertiary hospital in Korea.

Performance of mid-upper arm circumference and other prognostic indices based on inflammation and nutrition in oncology outpatients: a tertiary cancer center study.

Background: We aimed to compare the performance of established inflammation and nutrition-based prognostic indices with a relatively novel index 'mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC)' in outpatients with advanced cancer.

Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study that enrolled 200 outpatients with advanced cancer visiting a medical oncology clinic at a tertiary hospital. All patients were followed until death, and the Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), modified GPS (mGPS), Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR), and MUAC were compared by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs).

Factors That Influence Sleep Disturbance and the Mediating Effects of Depression on Sleep Disturbance in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Little is known about the nature of relationships between sleep disturbance and influencing factors in rheumatoid arthritis. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that influence sleep disturbance and to evaluate mediating effects of depression on sleep disturbance. A nonexperimental, descriptive, correlational study design was adopted.

Mid-upper Arm Circumference as an Indicator of Quality of Life of Patients with Advanced Cancer.

Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) has been used to assess malnutrition and health status across various disease groups. However, it is unclear whether MUAC is associated with quality of life (QOL) of patients with advanced cancer. Our goal was to investigate the relationship between MUAC and QOL in ambulatory out-patients with advanced cancer.

Clinical Outcomes of Operating an Acute Palliative Care Unit at a Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Purpose: Acute palliative care units (APCUs) are inpatient services in tertiary hospitals that provide intensive symptom management and assist in hospital discharge for transitions to hospice care. We aimed to analyze the clinical outcomes of operating an APCU at a comprehensive cancer center.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1,440 consecutive patients admitted to the APCU and analyzed demographic and clinical information, discharge outcomes, symptom assessments using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, spiritual distress, and financial distress.

The association between changes in symptoms or quality of life and overall survival in outpatients with advanced cancer.

Background: Several prognostic tools have been developed to aid clinicians in survival prediction. However, changes in symptoms are rarely included in established prognostic systems. We aimed to investigate the influence of changes in symptoms and quality of life (QOL) on survival time in outpatients with advanced cancer.

Performance of clinician prediction of survival in oncology outpatients with advanced cancer.

Background: We aimed to investigate the performance of clinician prediction of survival (CPS) and the association between CPS and the prognostic confidence of clinicians in ambulatory medical oncology outpatients.

Methods: Eight medical oncologists estimated the expected survival of their patients in a prospective cohort study. They were asked to provide a temporal type of CPS in weeks, together with their level of confidence for each prediction (0-100%).

Notification of Terminal Status and Advance Care Planning in Patients with Cancer.

As population aging increases the burden of cancer, the quality of death of patients with cancer is emerging as an important issue alongside their quality of life. To improve the quality of death, it is necessary to prepare for death, allowing patients to die comfortably and with dignity at the end. Considering these issues, I aim to discuss the practical aspects of notifying the patient of the terminal phase of cancer and planning for end-of-life care (i.

A Prognostic Model to Facilitate Palliative Care Referral in Oncology Outpatients.

Purpose: We aimed to develop a prognostic model to assist palliative care referral at least 3 months before death in advanced cancer patients treated at an outpatient medical oncology clinic.

Materials And Methods: In this prospective cohort study, a total of 200 patients were enrolled at a tertiary cancer center in South Korea. The major eligibility criterion was an expected survival of less than a year as estimated by their oncologists.

"Elbow-Lock" Chest Compression Method in the Setting of Single Rescuer Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Crossover Simulation Study.

Background: We designed a new 1-handed chest compression method, the "elbow-lock" chest compression (ELCC), for a single rescuer in pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Then, we compared the effectiveness between the ELCC and standard chest compression (SCC) method.

Methods: This prospective, randomized controlled, crossover simulation trial studied 34 emergency medical professionals, including physicians, nurses, and EMTs.

Clinical Significance of Velamentous Cord Insertion Prenatally Diagnosed in Twin Pregnancy.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of velamentous cord insertion (VCI) and the actual association between pathologically confirmed VCI and perinatal outcomes in twins based on the chorionicity.

Methods: All twin pregnancies that received prenatal care at a specialty clinic for multiple pregnancies, from less than 12 weeks of gestation until delivery in a single institution between 2015 and 2018 were included in this retrospective cohort study.

Results: A total of 941 twins were included in the study.

Clinical Utility of Increased Nuchal Translucency at 11-13 Weeks of Gestation in Twin Pregnancies Based on the Chorionicity.

To assess clinical implications of increased nuchal translucency (INT) in twin pregnancies based on the chorionicity. This was a retrospective review of the twin pregnancies who underwent first trimester ultrasound with nuchal translucency (NT) measurement at 11-13 weeks of gestation from January 2006 to December 2014. Data were collected using the OB database and the chart review.

Development and Validity Testing of a Morning Stiffness Assessment Scale for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Morning stiffness is known to exert a significant impact on functional ability, quality of life, and employment status. There is an increasing need for a valid, reliable tool to comprehensively assess morning stiffness. The purpose of this study was to develop and verify a Morning Stiffness Assessment Scale.

Pre-screening of patient-reported symptoms using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System in outpatient palliative cancer care.

Objectives: Although early palliative care is associated with a better quality of life and improved outcomes in end-of-life cancer care, the criteria of palliative care referral are still elusive.

Methods: We collected patient-reported symptoms using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) at the baseline, first and second follow-up visits. A total of 71 patients were evaluable, with a median age of 65 years, male (62%) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status distribution of 1/2/3 (28%/39%/33%) respectively.

Cesarean scar pregnancy; Diagnosis and management between 2003 and 2015 in a single center.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate diagnosis and management of an ectopic pregnancy developing in a previous cesarean scar.

Materials And Methods: Between March 2003 and October 2015, total 64 cases of cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) were retrospectively reviewed. The cliniscal characteristics, diagnosis, various methods of treatment and clinical outcomes were analyzed.

Marked Loss of Muscle, Visceral Fat, or Subcutaneous Fat After Gastrectomy Predicts Poor Survival in Advanced Gastric Cancer: Single-Center Study from the CLASSIC Trial.

Background: There is increasing interest in the influence of body composition on oncological outcomes. We evaluated the role of skeletal muscle and fat among patients with gastric cancer (GC) who underwent gastrectomy with or without adjuvant chemotherapy, as well as those changes' associations with survival outcomes.

Methods: The present study evaluated 136 patients with GC who were enrolled in the CLASSIC Trial at Yonsei Cancer Center.