bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS): Time duration of self-completion versus assisted-completion in palliative care patients—A randomized controlled trial.
Authors: Wong Angelique , Rodriguez-Nunez Alfredo , Tayjasanant Supakarn , Park Minjeong , Liu Diane D , Allo Julio , Frisbee-Hume Susan , Bruera Eduardo 
Published: February 2017

67 Background: ESAS is a multidimensional assessment tool for self-reporting of symptom intensity. Unfortunately, ESAS is not used often in clinical care due to the perception that it may be time consuming. Our aim was to compare the time duration of self-completion (SC) of ESAS for the first time by patients with advanced cancer vs. assisted-completion (AC) with a health care professional (HCP). Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, patients with advanced cancer who have never completed the ESAS at MD Anderson were allocated (1:1) with a web-based system to either to self-completion of the ESAS form vs assisted completion by the research assistant. Time of completion was measured by the research assistant using a stop watch. Patients completed the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM) test prior to administration of the ESAS. In the self-completion group, the nurse reviewed the responses to verify that the reported ESAS scores were correct (nurse review). Results: 127 patients were enrolled (69 patients to AC and 58 to SC). The median age was 60 years old, and median REALM score was 65. The median (IQR) time of SC alone was significantly less than AC (1.2 minutes (.7, 1.5) vs 1.82 minutes (1.3, 2.3), p = .000). With nurse review time included, the SC time increased to 1.92 minutes (p (vs. AC) = .28). Lower literacy (REALM) score was significantly associated with increased completion time (p = .007). Other demographical and clinical variables were not significantly associated with completion time. 73/127 (58%) patients reported they did not mind completing the ESAS alone or with the help of the nurse. Conclusions: The ESAS can be completed in less than 2 minutes with or without assistance by a HCP. When nurse review time was included, there was no difference in time of completion as compared to assisted completion. Our results support that regular clinical use of ESAS will have minimal impact on clinical time.
Experience of weight loss and its burden in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: Results of an online survey.
Authors: Rodriguez Ana Maria , Duus Elizabeth M , Friend John 
Published: February 2017

71 Background: The main objectives of this study were to characterize and compare the burden of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who reported considerable weight loss ( ≥ 5% of their body weight in the past 6 months or ≥ 2% for a BMI less than 20 kg/m2) to those who did not. Methods: 95 advanced NSCLC patients were surveyed from the online patient-powered community PatientsLikeMe. Self-reported demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded. Appetite, distress and concerns, health-related quality of life (QLQ-C15-PAL) and anorexia-cachexia symptoms/concerns (FAACT A/CS) were summarized. The results obtained between patients who lost considerable weight and those who did not were compared, using a two-tailed t-test or a Kruskal-Wallis test. Patients with weight loss were additionally asked open-ended questions on burden and concerns. Results: 35 (37%) patients were classified as having considerable weight loss at the time of the survey and 60 (63%) where classified without. Most patients were female (81%), American (81%), and mean age was 59 years. 61% of patients indicated not receiving either chemotherapy or radiotherapy at the time of the survey. Patients with weight loss reported significantly (p < 0.05) lower overall quality of life (55.2 vs. 66.9), worsened anorexia-cachexia symptoms/concerns (30.7 vs. 36.0), and higher symptomology, specifically fatigue (64.8 vs. 49.1), nausea (19.5 vs. 9.2), and appetite loss (41.0 vs. 23.9) – than patients without weight loss. In addition, significantly more patients who lost weight reported moderate/high distress levels than patients who did not (71% vs. 38%). For patients with weight loss, change in food taste, fatigue, and decrease in appetite were the most frequently reported symptoms with the greatest impact on their lives. Conclusions: Our results support that weight loss negatively affects cancer patients’ quality of life and is associated with more distress and symptoms—particularly fatigue, and appetite loss. Weight loss-related symptoms also significantly impact their lives. Interventions targeted at maintaining/increasing body weight may help to improve well-being and reduce key symptoms in advanced NSCLC patients with considerable weight loss.
Usability and acceptance of novel personal health technology to support early palliative care for patients with cancer and caregivers.
Authors: Bell Janice , Reed Sarah C. , Kim Katherine , Ngo Victoria , Wait Wendy , Apesoa-Varano Ester , Morgan Joy , Whitney Robin L. , Blackmon Emma , Joseph Jill 
Published: February 2017

73 Background: Little research has assessed whether and how technology can support early palliative care. Our team developed a HIPAA-compliant, cloud-based Personal Health Network (PHN) with a secure, online network of family, caregivers, clinicians and service providers designated by the patient; symptom reporting/management resources; and support for communication among network members via audio/video conferencing, messaging, and document sharing. This study examines PHN usability and acceptance, and identifies additional functions for early palliative care. Methods: Patients undergoing chemotherapy in a Comprehensive Cancer Center (n = 19) and their caregivers (n = 17) watched video demonstrations of the technology, participated in semi-structured interviews, and completed surveys measuring computer self-efficacy, PHN usability and acceptance. Results: Most participants were male with college education; mean age was 58 years. Most had a tablet or desktop computer (75%), a mobile phone (94%) and believed that technology improves the security of medication information (66%). At the same time, only 44% used email to contact healthcare providers and 30% used the internet to connect with others for support and information. Most reported the PHN was easy to learn and use and was an efficient and useful tool for patient-driven social networking, team communication, care coordination and symptom management. Participants suggested adapting the PHN to support spiritual and emotional needs and advance care planning. Common concerns included skepticism about receipt of timely responses from providers to symptom reports and the need for ongoing support for older adults with limited technology experience. Conclusions: These preliminary findings support adaption of the PHN to support palliative care components identified as important to patients and caregivers and further PHN usability and acceptance testing in larger, more diverse samples. The results also underscore the need for systems to support technology users, to clarify expectations of response time with patients and caregivers, and to assure these expectations can be met by healthcare providers.
Assessment of the relationship between three cancer survivor well-being tools.
Authors: Marchionda Paula , Deprey Mary Jo , Chamovitz Stuart , Jacobson Marty , Hall Kathleen 
Published: February 2017

74 Background: In 1999, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network issued guidelines for improving well-being of cancer survivors. Three tools, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOGPS), the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer (NCCNDT), and the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), are currently being used in a rural oncology survivorship clinic to assess patients’ well-being. The question arose whether all three tools are necessary for adequate patient assessment. Methods: Charts were reviewed on patients seen in a cancer survivorship clinic between January 1, 2015 and January 31, 2016. Well-being measures included the ECOGPS, the NCCNDT, and the SHS, all of which have been validated in prior studies. Patient demographics and well-being measures were captured in a database. Patient identifiers were removed to protect privacy. Data was stratified by age, gender, type and stage of cancer, and treatment type. ECOGPS, NCCNDT, and SHS scores were analyzed using Spearman rho to determine the relationships, if any, among the scores. A strong relationship was present if the correlation coefficient was > ± 0.7. A moderate relationship was present if the correlation coefficient was ± 0.4 to ± 0.7. Results: An analysis of all patient visits (n = 158) showed no strong or moderate correlations between performance and happiness (rs = -0.207), performance and distress (rs = 0.393), or distress and happiness (rs = -0.383). However, in subgroup analyses, a strong correlation was seen between happiness and performance for ages18-39 (rs = 0.830) and for those 6-12 months post-treatment (rs = -0.714). A strong correlation was also seen between distress and happiness for thoracic (rs = -0.801) and head and neck (rs = -0.847) cancer types, as well as those 1-3 years (rs = -0.718) and 3-5 years (rs = -.0754) post-treatment. A positive correlation was seen between performance and happiness for men (rs = 0.341), whereas females saw a negative correlation (rs = -0.349). Conclusions: Results indicate that these tools capture different aspects of patients’ well-being. Continued use of all three is recommended. Results obtained from stratified groups may be used for future studies.
Using patient-reported outcomes to assess the effectiveness of topical hormonal replacement therapy (THR) for vaginal complaints (VC) after anti-hormonal therapy (HT) treatment for breast cancer (BC).
Authors: Jamy Omer HASSAN , Vontela Namratha Reddy , Gatwood Justin , Walker Mark Stephen , Stepanski Edward J. , Vidal Gregory A. 
Published: February 2017

77 Background: THR is sometimes used for treatment of VC in BC patients previously treated with HT. The safety of this practice remains a question but the effectiveness of this strategy has not been reported. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patient reported symptoms at the West Cancer Center (WCC) between 2002 and 2014. Early stage BC patients previously treated with HT with reported VC ± THR were statistically matched 1:1 using propensity score matching with calipers of 0.01. Demographics and clinical characteristics were extracted from electronic records and a proprietary patient-reported outcomes database: the Patient Care Monitor (PCM). A baseline PCM score for vaginal dryness and sexual dysfunction was noted at the initiation of THR and was followed for 12 months. Univariate statistics compared the resulting cohorts and repeated measures ANOVA assessed the impact of topical therapy. Results: We compared 74 THR patients to 74 controls (Table). The mean reported symptom scores were 3 fold higher in the active group with no statistical improvement in symptom scores noted at 6 or 12 months (Table). At the WCC, of the 5,479 patients with VC analyzed, only 5% received THR. The study was underpowered for survival analysis. Conclusions: In our study, increased severity of VC was associated with increased use of THR. However, there is no evidence that THR was effective in alleviating symptoms of vaginal dryness or sexual dysfunction. [Table: see text]
Sleep quality among inpatients with acute myeloid leukemia.
Authors: LeBlanc Thomas William , Aibel Kelli , Meyerhoff Ryan , Harpole David , Abernethy Amy Pickar , Yang Chi-Fu Jeffrey 
Published: February 2017

82 Background: Anecdotally, sleep is thought to be a significant problem for inpatients receiving treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), butsleep disturbances in this setting are not well-characterized. We aimed to assess the feasibility of measuring sleep in AML patients using a wearable actigraphy device. Methods: Using the Actigraph GT3X “watch,”we assessed the total sleep time, sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset, number of awakenings after sleep onset, and sleep efficiency for inpatients with AML receiving induction chemotherapy during their hospitalization. We also assessed patient self-reported sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Questionnaire Index (PSQI). Results: Of the thirteen patients enrolled in the study, 11 completed actigraphy and PSQI assessments. Two patients who were transferred to the ICU were excluded from this analysis. Data collection was feasible; patients wore the Actigraph device for a mean (SD) of 120 (58) hours. Subjects’ mean age was 55.9 (15.7) years. Mean length of hospitalization was 34 (13) days. The mean PSQI global score was 8.10 (4.91) indicating generally poor sleep. Actigraphy measures also suggested poor sleep. Overall sleep quantity was insufficient, with a mean total sleep time in minutes of 366.5 (61.0). Patients’ sleep was often interrupted, with a mean number of awakenings after sleep onset of 4.9 (3.3), average awakening length in minutes of 7.8 (5.5), and mean wake after sleep onset in minutes of 37.2 (26.4). Mean sleep onset latency in minutes was 0.4 (0.5) and sleep efficiency was high (90.7% (0.1)), suggesting that patients did not have difficulty falling asleep but rather experienced poor sleep due to external factors. Conclusions: Actigraphy assessment of sleep in AML inpatients is feasible, and suggests significant impairments in both quantity and quality of sleep. While patients did not appear to have difficulty falling asleep, they experienced significant sleep disturbances, perhaps from external factors like interactions with staff and interruptions such as from administration of medications, lab draws and vital sign measurements. Supportive care interventions are needed to further improve sleep quantity and quality among inpatients with AML.
Use of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale in patients with advanced cancer referred to an embedded palliative care clinician.
Authors: D'Ambruoso Sarah , Walling Anne M. , Hurvitz Sara A. , Drakaki Alexandra , Goldman Jonathan Wade , Pietras Christopher , Watts Frances , Coscarelli Anne , Wenger Neil 
Published: February 2017

96 Background: Physical and emotional symptoms are highly prevalent in patients with advanced cancers and contribute to overall distress level and decreased self-reported quality of life. Oncology organizations and accrediting bodies now routinely recommend universal distress screening among patients with advanced cancers. Palliative and supportive care clinicians play an important role in implementing symptom and distress screening in cancer centers. Methods: As part of an embedded palliative care nurse practitioner (PC-NP) intervention within a large ambulatory oncology clinic, patients with advanced breast, GU, GI and lung cancer were screened for physical and emotional symptoms using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and treated appropriately including referral to psychology-based supportive care clinic for moderate to severe anxiety and depression or clinician-identified need. We used pre-test post-test methods to see if symptoms improved after enrollment in an embedded palliative oncology program. Results: Sixty-eight patients were screened at initial visit and 41 had follow-up screening during the first 13 months of the program with a part-time PC-NP. Only the 41 patients who had both an initial and a follow-up visit were included in the analysis. Patients were assessed using the ESAS at initial visit and at a follow-up visit an average of 5.9 weeks later (RANGE 1.0-30.6), and significant reductions were found in self-reported pain (4.0 v. 3.0), shortness of breath (3.0 v. 2.1), lack of appetite (2.8 v. 2.1), and overall well-being (4.7 v 3.8) (p < 0.05). Emotional symptoms (anxiety and depression) also decreased but were not statistically significant. Aggregate scores (emotional symptoms plus physical symptoms plus well-being) demonstrated a 6 point reduction in severity (26.2 baseline to 20.3 at follow-up, p = 0.17). Conclusions: These findings are suggestive of improvement in cancer-related symptoms and distress after enrollment in an embedded palliative oncology program. More rigorous study designs are needed to better understand the impact of the intervention on symptom management.
Differences in the symptom distress between young adult and adult patients with advanced cancer admitted to acute palliative care unit.
Authors: Kang Beodeul , Kim Yu Jung , Park Ji Soo , Choi Hye Jin 
Published: February 2017

99 Background: Understanding about young adults with advanced cancer in palliative care was still insufficient. The purpose of this study was to identify the differences in symptom distress between young (20-39 years) and older (≥ 40 years) adults with advanced cancer who were admitted to acute palliative care unit. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 502 consecutive patients admitted to acute palliative care unit between April 2015 and March 2016 in two tertiary cancer centers. Descriptive statistics, analysis of Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS), and Symptom Distress Scale (SDS) were performed. Results: Among 502 patients, 33 (7%) were aged 20-39 years, and 469 (93%) were aged ≥ 40 years. The most common malignancies among the young adult patients were stomach and colorectal cancers. SDS was similar between young adult (38.7 ± 15.1) and old adult (41.5 ± 13.7) patients. However, pain, nausea, poor feeling of well-being sense, sleep disturbance, and financial distress were numerically higher in young adult group than older adult group. Especially, sleep disturbance (5.72 vs. 4.56, p = 0.030) and financial distress (4.44 vs. 2.87, p = 0.008) showed statistically significant difference. Conclusions: Young adult advanced cancer patients appear to show different symptom profiles. Further research is needed to identify determinants and to provide timely integration of palliative care services for this unique patient cohort.
Contemporary treatment patterns and short-term outcomes in men with very high-risk prostate cancer.
Authors: Tosoian Jeffrey J. , Sundi Debasish , Chapin Brian Francis , Antonarakis Emmanuel S. , Chappidi Meera , Alam Ridwan , Glavaris Stephanie , Karnes R. Jeffrey , Pienta Kenneth J. , Tran Phuoc T. , Schaeffer Edward M. , Ross Ashley 
Published: February 2017

103 Background: Beginning in 2014, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recognized very high-risk (VHR) prostate cancer (cT3b-T4, or primary Gleason pattern 5, or more than 4 biopsy cores with Gleason score 8-10, or multiple HR features) as a classification distinct from high-risk (HR) disease. Using prospectively collected institutional data, we describe contemporary treatment patterns and short-term outcomes in the VHR population. Methods: Men who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) between January 2010 and June 2015 were identified using the Johns Hopkins RP database, and trends in management were compared across the study period. Pathological and short-term clinical outcomes were assessed in men with VHR cancer. Non organ-confined disease (NOCD) was defined as ≥ pT3 disease or lymph node positivity, persistent postoperative PSA as ≥ 0.2 ng/mL, and biochemical recurrence (BCR) as a PSA ≥ 0.2 ng/mL following an initial undetectable postoperative PSA. Results: During the study period, 4,954 men underwent RP, of which 161 (3.2%) men had VHR cancer at diagnosis. The annual proportion of men who underwent RP with VHR cancer increased over the study period (chronologically 1.8%, 1.0%, 3.3%, 4.1%, 5.6%, and 5.2%; p<0.001). Sixteen percent of men with VHR disease were enrolled in pre-surgical clinical trials, with an increase from 0% of men in 2010 to 19.1% in 2015 (p=0.11). At RP, 39% of the VHR cohort had seminal vesicle invasion, 26% had lymph node involvement, and a total of 74% had NOCD. Following surgery, 33% of men had PSA persistence, and 40% experienced either PSA persistence or BCR during follow-up (median 13.4 months). Of 136 men with at least one follow-up assessment, 15 (11.0%) developed metastasis; 33% of the cohort was treated with radiation therapy, 42% with androgen deprivation, and 15% with docetaxel. Conclusions: The VHR population carries the greatest risk of clinical progression following local treatment. Over the past five years, we have observed increasing surgical treatment and clinical trial enrollment at our institution. Continued assessment of post-operative interventions and outcomes will help to facilitate counseling and establish point estimates from which to power clinical trials.
Association of ARV7 expression with molecular and clinical characteristics in prostate cancer.
Authors: Joshi Himanshu , Pinski Jacek K. 
Published: February 2017

109 Background: Prostate cancer (PC) is the most common cancer in men over the age of 60 and the second leading cause of cancer mortality in the United States. Clinicopathological parameters such as Gleason score, tumor volume, surgical margins, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), Ki-67 index and clinical stage are used as prognostic markers for clinical outcomes. Identification of novel molecular markers could improve our understanding of the clinical behavior of this disease. Androgen receptor isoforms, in particular variant 7 (ARV7 or AR3) have been recently studied for elucidating their potential role in PC progression, associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), disease aggressiveness, increased proliferation and therapeutic resistance. Our study is analyzing the association of ARV7 mRNA expression to clinical characteristics and is analyzing the genomic data to identify differentially altered genes by ARV expression status, summarized as a potential functional network. Methods: We obtained the TCGA public dataset of prostate adenocarcinoma tumors (N=499) that included the clinical data, gene and isoform expression and mutation data. Cases were categorized into ARV7 over-expressing (ARV+) and normal or low expression (ARV –/N) by using a cut-off of upper 25th percentile of the background genomic expression. Analysis was performed in R and Perl by using custom-made scripts. Differentially altered genes and pathways were identified and were summarized as potential functional networks. Results: We categorized 30 out of the 499 tumors as ARV+. ARV7 over-expression was found to be significantly associated with older age at diagnosis (>70), advanced clinical stage, nodal involvement, high Gleason score and a poor therapeutic response. We also observed a trend towards shorter disease-free survival among ARV+ tumors. In addition, ARV+ tumors showed significantly higher number of mutations in 20 key regulatory pathways including Jak-STAT signaling, homologous recombination, ErbB and Wnt signaling pathways. Conclusions: ARV7 overexpression is associated with genomic alterations in key regulatory pathways and poorer clinical outcome in PC patients.