EGFRI-associated health-related quality of life by severity of skin toxicity in metastatic colorectal cancer patients receiving epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor target therapy

Liu

Chen

et al. 2021

IJERPH

Self Cite

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common adverse effect of neurotoxic anticancer drugs that may affect quality of life (QoL). Purpose: The purposes of this study were to: assess the levels of CIPN, anxiety, depression, CIPN–related QoL, and general QoL; and identify the factors related to CIPN–related QoL and general QoL in patients with advanced lung cancer (LC) receiving platinum-based chemotherapy. This cross-sectional study examined patients with advanced LC who received platinum-based chemotherapy from the thoracic oncology inpatient wards of a medical center in northern Taiwan. Structured questionnaires were used to measure patients’ CIPN (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire–chemotherapy–induced peripheral neuropathy 20), anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Depression Scale [HADS]), depression (HADS), CIPN-related QoL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy /Gynecologic Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity subscale [FACT/GOG–Ntx]), and general QoL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General Input [FACT-G]). Of 93 patients with advanced LC, 53.8% reported CIPN–sensory impairment and 47.3% reported CIPN–motor impairment. The most common CIPN symptoms were difficulty getting or maintaining an erection (only for men > 65 years) and difficulty in climbing stairs or getting up out of a chair. Poor CIPN–related QoL (FACT/GOG–Ntx) was associated with more CIPN–sensory and more CIPN–motor impairment. Poor general QoL (FACT-G) was associated with a higher level of depression, a higher level of anxiety, and receipt of more chemotherapy cycles. More than half of LC patients report impairment related to CIPN, calling for holistic treatment to improve QoL.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy on Quality of Life in Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer Receiving Platinum-Based Chemotherapy

Liu

Chen

et al. 2021

IJERPH

Self Cite

“…Physical performance status was assessed using the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scale, which ranges from 100% (normal function) to 0% (death) [20]. The KPS has been widely used in studies of cancer patients in Taiwan [31,32].…”

Section: Karnofsky Performance Status Scalementioning

confidence: 99%

Supportive Care and Unmet Needs in Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients: Screening and Related Factors

Tseng

Hsieh

et al. 2021

IJERPH

Self Cite

Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer treatment can cause physical and psychological distress and may result in unmet needs. The purposes of this study were to (1) examine the levels of gastrointestinal (GI) symptom distress, social support, and supportive care needs; (2) screen the priorities of unmet supportive care needs; and (3) identify the factors associated with supportive care needs among UGI cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. This cross-sectional study examined UGI cancer patients who received treatment from the outpatient chemotherapy department of a single cancer center in northern Taiwan. Questionnaires were used to collect data regarding GI symptom distress, social support, unmet needs, and supportive care needs. The top three unmet needs were “fears about the cancer spreading”, “uncertainty about the future”, and “being informed about things you can do to help yourself to get well”. Descriptive statistics examined the levels of GI symptom distress, social support, supportive care needs, and priorities of unmet supportive care needs. Stepwise regression was conducted to determine significant factors related to supportive care needs. Greater supportive care needs were found to be associated with higher levels of disease-related worries, increased treatment-related symptoms, and a lower level of physical performance. These factors explained 48.0% of the variance in supportive care needs. Disease-related worries and treatment-related symptoms strongly influence overall supportive care needs and each domain of supportive care needs. Symptom management and psychological support for patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy may help patients meet needs.

“…The KPS scale, used to assess a patient's performance status, ranges from 100% (normal function) to 0% (death) [21]. The KPS has been used in clinical cancer studies to assess cancer patients' level of physical function [31,32]. An inter-observer reliability coe cient of 0.98 was reported in the present study.…”

Section: Karnofsky Performance Status Scalementioning

confidence: 59%

Impact of Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy on Quality of Life in Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer Receiving Platinum-based Chemotherapy

Liu

Chen

et al. 2021

Preprint

Self Cite

Purpose: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common adverse event of cancer treatment that may affect quality of life (QoL). The purposes of this study were to: assess the levels of CIPN, depression, general QoL, and CIPN–related QoL; and identify the factors related to CIPN–related QoL and general QoL in patients with advanced lung cancer (LC) receiving platinum-based chemotherapy.Methods: This cross-sectional study examined patients with advanced LC who received platinum-based chemotherapy from the thoracic oncology inpatient wards of a medical center in northern Taiwan. Structured questionnaires were used to measure patients’ CIPN, depression, general QoL, and CIPN-related QoL.Results: Of the 93 patients with advanced LC studied, 53.8% and 47.3% reported CIPN–sensory impairment and CIPN–motor impairment, respectively. The most common CIPN symptoms were difficulty getting or maintaining an erection and difficulty in climbing stairs or getting up out of a chair. Poor CIPN–related QoL was associated with more CIPN–sensory and more CIPN–motor impairment. Poor general QoL was associated with a higher level of depression, more CIPN-sensory impairment, and a higher cumulative dose of chemotherapy.Conclusion: More than half of LC patients report impairment related to CIPN. This finding highlights the importance of treating these symptoms which significantly impair QoL. A holistic approach — including patient health education, dietary adjustment, nutritional supplements, aerobic exercise, and balance training — is needed to relieve the distressful peripheral neurological symptoms and emotional distress of CIPN during and after treatment for advanced LC.