Health-related quality of life in patients with inoperable malignant bowel obstruction: secondary outcome from a double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled randomised trial of octreotide.

Background: This analysis aims to evaluate health-related quality of life (HrQoL) (primary outcome for this analysis), nausea and vomiting, and pain in patients with inoperable malignant bowel obstruction (IMBO) due to cancer or its treatments randomised to standardised therapies plus octreotide or placebo over a maximum of 72 h in a double-blind clinical trial.

Methods: Adults with IMBO and vomiting recruited through 12 services spanning inpatient, consultative and community settings in Australia were randomised to subcutaneous octreotide infusion or saline. HrQoL was measured at baseline and treatment cessation (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL).

Screening of Cognitive Impairment in the Dialysis Population: A Scoping Review.

Background: Cognitive impairment in end-stage kidney disease patients on dialysis is increasingly common. This study aimed to review the practice of screening and to evaluate the evidence on cognitive impairment prevalence in this population.

Methods: This scoping review of studies summarises the evidence on cognitive impairment in dialysis populations.

An Australasian perspective on the curative treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer, supportive care, and future directions for management.

The management of patients with pancreatic cancer requires an individualised approach and the support of a multidisciplinary team to accurately stage patients and determine their suitability for curative treatment. Guidelines have been developed in Australasia to define the operability for patients who have been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This is supported by advances in pancreatic cancer genetics, which show potential for developing targeted therapies for pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) for malabsorption in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Purpose: The diagnosis of metastatic pancreatic cancer (PC) carries a poor prognosis. PC is associated with weight loss and malabsorption in high rates secondary to pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. UK and USA guidelines exist recommending the empiric use of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) for quality of life in these patients.