Associations between health-related quality of life, body mass index, health status and sociodemographic variables in geriatric patients and non-hospitalized older people: A comparative cross-sectional study.

Background: Data on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in geriatric patients and non-hospitalized older people are lacking, and the associations among HRQoL, body mass index (BMI) and health status are not sufficiently investigated in these groups.

Aim: This study aims to describe and compare HRQoL in a sample of geriatric patients and non-hospitalized people >70 years. It further aims to investigate the associations between HRQoL, BMI, health status and sociodemographic variables in geriatric patients and non-hospitalized people >70 years.

Mild to Moderate Cognitive Impairment Does Not Affect the Ability to Self-Report Important Symptoms in Patients With Cancer: A Prospective Longitudinal Multinational Study (EPCCS).

Context: Patients with advanced cancer commonly suffer from both distressing symptoms and cognitive impairment, but the effect of cognitive impairment on the reliability and validity of symptom self-report is unknown.

Objectives: To evaluate the reliability and validity of symptom self-report in cancer outpatients with and without mild to moderate cognitive impairment.

Methods: This was an analysis of the longitudinal European Palliative Care Cancer Symptom study of adults with incurable cancer in specialized palliative care (30 centers across 12 countries).

Metabolic analysis of amino acids and vitamin B6 pathways in lymphoma survivors with cancer related chronic fatigue.

Chronic cancer-related fatigue (CF) is a common and distressing condition in a subset of cancer survivors and common also after successful treatment of malignant lymphoma. The etiology and pathogenesis of CF is unknown, and lack of biomarkers hampers development of diagnostic tests and successful therapy. Recent studies on the changes of amino acid levels and other metabolites in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalopathy (CFS/ME) have pointed to possible central defects in energy metabolism.

Prescription of analgesics to long-term survivors of cancer in early adulthood, adolescence, and childhood in Norway: a national cohort study.

Increasing numbers survive cancers in childhood and adolescence. Long-term survivors of cancers in adulthood have increased prevalence of pain and consumption of analgesics. It is not established whether long-term survivors of cancers in childhood and adolescence also have an increased use of analgesics.

Quality of life in persons with hearing loss: a study of patients referred to an audiological service.

To investigate the relationship between hearing loss (HL) and general quality of life (QoL) in adults seeking hearing aids (HAs). The patients completed the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire's general part and a questionnaire measuring self-assessed communication ability (Abbreviated Profile of hearing Aid Benefit-APHAB). These responses were compared with EORTC scores from a general population and patients with former head and neck cancer.

Breast carcinoma in pregnancy with spheroid-like placental metastases-a case report.

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies diagnosed in pregnancy. Although the tumor is often detected at an advanced stage, placental metastases are rare. Here, we describe the case of a woman with breast cancer recurrence during pregnancy and subsequent metastases.

Neuropathic pain in cancer: systematic review, performance of screening tools and analysis of symptom profiles.

Background: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the methodological quality of rigorous neuropathic pain assessment tools in applicable clinical studies, and determine the performance of screening tools for identifying neuropathic pain in patients with cancer.

Methods: Systematic literature search identified studies reporting use of Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS), Douleur Neuropathique en 4 (DN4) or painDETECT (PDQ) in cancer patients with a clinical diagnosis of neuropathic or not neuropathic pain. Individual patient data were requested to examine descriptor item profiles.

The applicability of a weight loss grading system in cancer cachexia: a longitudinal analysis.

Background: A body mass index (BMI) adjusted weight loss grading system (WLGS) is related to survival in patients with cancer. The aim of this study was to examine the applicability of the WLGS by confirming its prognostic validity, evaluating its relationship to cachexia domains, and exploring its ability to predict cachexia progression.

Methods: An international, prospective observational study of patients with incurable cancer was conducted.

Perceived needs for different components in a rehabilitation program among cancer survivors with chronic fatigue compared to survivors without chronic fatigue.

Background: Knowledge about the user' needs is important to develop targeted rehabilitation for cancer patients with chronic fatigue (CF). The aims of the study were to examine prevalence of CF in cancer survivors attending an one-week inpatient educational program (IEP) and to identify characteristics of those with CF. Further to examine the perceived needs for different components in a rehabilitation program, need of complex rehabilitation (at least two components) and aspects of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among survivors with CF versus those without CF.

Drug Dose Per Kilogram Lean Body Mass Predicts Hematologic Toxicity From Carboplatin-Doublet Chemotherapy in Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

Background: Variations in lean body mass (LBM) have been suggested to explain variations in toxicity from systemic cancer treatment. We investigated if drug doses per kilogram of LBM were associated with severe hematologic toxicity (HT) in patients with stage IIIB/IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) enrolled onto randomized trials comparing first-line carboplatin-doublets.

Patients And Methods: Patients received carboplatin (AUC [area under the plasma concentration vs.

Prevalence of factors associated with malnutrition among acute geriatric patients in Norway: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Data on acute geriatric patients' nutritional status are lacking, and the associations among physical function, sarcopenia, health status and nutritional status are not sufficiently investigated in this population. The aims of this study are to investigate (1) nutritional status and sarcopenia in a group of acute geriatric patients, (2) the association between nutritional status, physical function and sarcopenia in acute geriatric patients, controlling for health status.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Health-related Quality of Life as Studied by EORTC QLQ and Voice Handicap Index Among Various Patients With Laryngeal Disease.

Objectives: Patients with voice-related disorders are often treated by a multidisciplinary team including assessment by patient-reported outcome measures. The present paper aims at documenting the importance of including general health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures to clinical investigations.

Study Design: The participants (N = 80 larynx cancer, N = 32 recurrent palsy, N = 23 dysfunctional, N = 75 degenerative/inflammation, N = 19 various) were included consecutively at the laryngology clinic at Haukeland University Hospital.

Barriers to and facilitators for implementing quality improvements in palliative care - results from a qualitative interview study in Norway.

Background: Implementation of quality improvements in palliative care (PC) is challenging, and detailed knowledge about factors that may facilitate or hinder implementation is essential for success. One part of the EU-funded IMPACT project (IMplementation of quality indicators in PAlliative Care sTudy) aiming to increase the knowledge base, was to conduct national studies in PC services. This study aims to identify factors perceived as barriers or facilitators for improving PC in cancer and dementia settings in Norway.

Characteristics of the case mix, organisation and delivery in cancer palliative care: a challenge for good-quality research.

Objectives: Palliative care (PC) services and patients differ across countries. Data on PC delivery paired with medical and self-reported data are seldom reported. Aims were to describe (1) PC organisation and services in participating centres and (2) characteristics of patients in PC programmes.

Symptoms, Quality of Life, and Daily Activities in People With Newly Diagnosed Solid Tumors Presenting to a Medical Oncologist.

Introduction: Symptom and Quality of Life (QOL) data are important patient reported outcomes. Early identification of these is critical for appropriate interventions. Data collection may be helped by modern information technology.

Patient-provider communication about the emotional cues and concerns of adolescent and young adult patients and their family members when receiving a diagnosis of cancer.

Objective: This study aimed to examine how emotional cues/concerns are expressed and responded to in medical consultations with adolescent and young adults (AYA), an understudied patient group, at the time of cancer diagnosis.

Methods: Nine consultations in which AYA patients aged 12-25 years were informed about their cancer diagnosis and treatment plans were audio recorded. Expressions of emotional cues/concerns and physicians' responses were identified and coded using The Verona Coding Definitions of Emotional Sequences (VR-CoDES).

Alterations in inflammatory biomarkers and energy intake in cancer cachexia: a prospective study in patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer.

Chronic systemic inflammatory response is proposed as an underlying mechanism for development of cancer cachexia. We conducted a prospective study to examine changes in inflammatory biomarkers during the disease course and the relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and cachexia in patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer. Twenty patients, median (range) age 67.

International field testing of the psychometric properties of an EORTC quality of life module for oral health: the EORTC QLQ-OH15.

Purpose: This international EORTC validation study (phase IV) is aimed at testing the psychometric properties of a quality of life (QoL) module related to oral health problems in cancer patients.

Methods: The phase III module comprised 17 items with four hypothesized multi-item scales and three single items. In phase IV, patients with mixed cancers, in different treatment phases from 10 countries completed the EORTC QLQ-C30, the QLQ-OH module, and a debriefing interview.

Skeletal muscle radiodensity is prognostic for survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Background & Aims: Recent research indicates that severe muscular depletion (sarcopenia) is frequent in cancer patients and linked to cachexia and poor survival. Our aim was to investigate if measures of skeletal muscle hold prognostic information in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: We included NSCLC patients with disease stage IIIB/IV, performance status 0-2, enrolled in three randomised trials of first-line chemotherapy (n = 1305).

Who experiences higher and increasing breathlessness in advanced cancer? The longitudinal EPCCS Study.

Purpose: Breathlessness is a major cause of suffering in advanced cancer. We aimed to determine the symptom trajectory in people with advanced cancer and to identify those at increased risk of experiencing higher or increasing breathlessness over time in advanced cancer.

Patients And Methods: This was an analysis of the multinational, prospective, longitudinal European Palliative Care Cancer Symptom (EPCCS) study.

Psychometric testing of the Norwegian version of the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite 26-item version (EPIC-26).

Objectives: In patients with prostate cancer, evaluation of quality of care requires the inclusion of patient-reported outcomes measures assessed by validated and reliable instruments. Basic psychometric tests of the Norwegian version of the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite with 26 items (EPIC-26) were performed in this study.

Material And Methods: Translation of the original questionnaire (University of California, Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index Composite), field testing and retranslation were done according to published guidelines.

Preoperative cognitive function predicts survival in patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Background: The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate whether pre-surgery health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and subjectively rated symptom scores are prognostic factors for survival in patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Methods: Patients undergoing pancreatic resection for PDAC completed the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) and the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-PAN26 questionnaires preoperatively. Patient, tumor and treatment characteristics, recurrence and survival were registered.

Valvular Dysfunction in Lymphoma Survivors Treated With Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation: A National Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: This study assessed the prevalence and associated risk factors for valvular dysfunction (VD) observed in adult lymphoma survivors (LS) after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HCT), and to determine whether anthracycline-containing chemotherapy (ACCT) alone in these patients is associated with VD.

Background: The prevalence of and risk factors for VD in LS after auto-HCT is unknown. Anthracyclines may induce heart failure, but any association with VD is not well-defined.

The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System: Poor performance as screener for major depression in patients with incurable cancer.

Background: Depressive symptoms are prevalent in patients with advanced cancer, sometimes of a severity that fulfil the criteria for a major depressive episode.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate how the item on depression in the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System with a 0-10 Numerical Rating Scale performed as a screener for major depressive episode. A possible improved performance by adding the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System-Anxiety item was also examined.