Aim/background: The FACT COST is a patient-rated measure of financial toxicity, developed and validated in a North American population. We aimed to confirm the validity and reliability of the FACT COST in Australian cancer patients, because the Australian healthcare funding structure is different to that in North America.
Methods: A single center, cross-sectional study design investigated financial toxicity in oncology outpatients. Eligible adults had current malignancy, with or without active cancer treatment. The primary endpoint was the degree of financial toxicity experienced via the COST questionnaire; secondary endpoints included health-related quality of life (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General), anxiety, and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Clinical and demographic data were recorded. Statistical analysis determined the internal consistency, test-retest reliability and validity of COST, and correlations between COST score and secondary endpoints.
Results: A total of 257 patients participated (79% response rate). Fifty-three percent were female; median age 63 years (range 19-88). COST scores were skewed toward less financial toxicity, median 26 (SD 10.3, range 1-43), lower scores indicating higher toxicity. High internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.884), test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.801), and convergent validity were demonstrated. Financial toxicity was greatest in younger participants, those with more inpatient admissions, those with a change in employment status following diagnosis, and those in the lowest income quintile. Financial toxicity was associated with worse health-related quality of life, and greater depression and anxiety.
Conclusion: The COST measure of financial toxicity demonstrated acceptable validity parameters in an Australian outpatient population. Greater financial toxicity was associated with worse psychological well-being and with certain patient demographics.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ajco.13508 | DOI Listing |
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January 2025
Molecular Neuropsychiatry Section, Intramural Research Program, NIH/ NIDA, 21224, Baltimore, MD, U.S.A.
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January 2025
Centre for Agricultural Genomics and Biotechnology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary.
Heat stress has been proven to cause negative effects on livestock leading to lower productivity and economic value. Understanding how heat stress manifests within an animal's body is the first step in devising a heat stress mitigation strategy; transcriptomic studies are one of the methods used. Here, using a systematic literature review methodology, we examine the recent decade of transcriptomics' application to the study of livestock adaptation.
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January 2025
Institute of Mathematics, Henan Academy of Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
This study examines the behavior of the Casson nanofluid bioconvection flow around a spinning disc under various influences, including gyrotactic microorganisms, multiple slips, and thermal radiation. Notably, it accounts for the reversible nature of the flow and incorporates the esterification process. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of reversible chemical reactions on the flow behavior of a Casson nanofluid in the presence of bioconvective microorganisms over a spinning disc.
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December 2024
Department of Ophthalmology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, GRC.
Orbital apex lesions represent a clinical challenge since they are difficult to remove surgically and may induce significant functional defects. The orbital apex is an area of convergence of neurovascular elements passing through the various local osseous foramina and the congestion of several critical anatomical structures in a confined space increases the risk of intraoperative complications. Radiotherapy is an alternative treatment option in such cases but may also induce radiation toxicity.
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Department of Geriatrics, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, PR China.
Background: Ferroptosis is a cell death process that depends on iron and reactive oxygen species. It significantly contributes to cardiovascular diseases. However, its exact role in ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) is still unclear.
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