• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.18
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• pp.7653-7664
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• 2014

Background: Colorectal ranked first among cancers reported in males and ranked second amongst females in Jordan, accounting for 12.7% and 10.5% of cancers in males and females, respectively. Colorectal cancer patients can suffer several consequences after treatment that include pain and fatigue, constipation, stoma complications, sexual problems, appearance and body-image concerns as well as psychological dysfunction. There is no published quantitative data on the health-related quality of life and psychological wellbeing of Jordanian colorectal cancer survivors. Method: This project was a cross-sectional study of colorectal cancer survivors diagnosed in 2009 and 2010. Assessment was performed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), the colorectal cancer specific module (EORTC QLQ-CR 29) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Data on potential predictors of scores were also collected. Results: A total of 241 subjects completed the study with mean age of $56.7{\pm}13.6$. Males represented 52.3% of study participants. A majority of participants reported good to high overall health; the mean Global health score was $79.74{\pm}23.31$ with only 6.64% of study participants scoring less than 33.3%. The striking result in this study was that none of the study participants participated in a psychosocial support group; only 4 of them (1.7%) were even offered such support. The mean scores for HADS, depression score, and anxiety score were $8.25{\pm}9$, $4.35{\pm}4.9$ and $3.9{\pm}4.6$, respectively. However, 77.1% of study participants were within the normal category for the depression score and 81.7% were within this category for anxiety score; 5.4% of participants had severe anxiety and 5.4% of them had severe depression. Discussion: Patients with colorectal cancer in Jordan have a good quality of life and psychological wellbeing scores when compared with patients from western countries. None of the colorectal cancer patients managed at the Ministry of Health received any formal counselling, or participated in psychological or social support programmes. This highlights the urgent need for a psychosocial support programme, psychological screening and consultations for patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer at the Ministry of Health Hospitals.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2012

Objectives: This research was aimed 1) to find out various subjective symptoms cancer patients had, 2) to find out the quantitative difference of symptoms occurring according to the area of cancer, current treatment methods, and relapse of the cancer and 3) to analyze the relationship between the occurrence of symptoms. Methods: This study was a survey about the various subjective symptoms cancer patients had. The subjects were 48 cancer patients in a double-blinded randomized controlled trial about the effectiveness of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) treatments. Surveys were examined before Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) treatments. The questionnaire consisted of demographic research, patient history and accompanying symptoms. The symptoms part consisted of 4 questions on general symptoms (vertigo, hot flush, rash, insomnia), 2 questions on digestion symptoms (anorexia, dyspepsia), 2 questions on excretions (diarrhea, constipation), and 5 questions on symptoms in different body parts (headache, dryness of lips, chest pain, aphthous ulcer, nose bleeding). The questionnaire was used to research presence of symptoms and relationships between the occurrence of symptoms. Results: A total of 48 patients took part in this survey. Dizziness was the most frequent subjective symptom patients had (64.58%), followed by dry mouth (43.75%), headache (43.75%), insomnia (41.67%), anorexia (37.5%) and chest discomfort (37.5%). The presence of these subjective symptoms was partially related to the patient's history details - type of cancer, method of cancer treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy), termination of treatment, presence of pain, fatigue and recurrence, etc. Factor analysis was conducted to analyze the relationship between the occurrence of symptoms. It suggested 5 factors as a result, but there was a limitation that only a low level of correlation was shown among them. Conclusions: We were able to analyze the occurrences and the relationships among them for accompanying subjective symptoms in cancer patients. However the results of the study are limited in that only 48 patients participated. The symptoms in cancer patients showed a tendency for clustering, occurring simultaneously or continuously rather than occurring alone. The study of these symptom clusters is worth further study, for it is similar to the Symptom Differentiation System in Traditional Korean Medicine. For effective approach to the treatment of cancer in Traditional Korean Medicine, further research on the Korean traditional view of cancer patients should be done based on this research, regarding various symptoms and those relationships on a larger scale.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9763-9766
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• 2014

Background: This systemic analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an ifosfamide-containing regimen in treating patients with osteosarcoma. Methods: Clinical studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of Ifosfamide-containing regimen on response and safety for patients with osteosarcoma were identified by using a predefined search strategy. Pooled response rate (RR) of treatment were calculated. Results: When ifosfamide-containing regimens were evaluated, 4 clinical studies which including 134 patients with osteosarcoma were considered eligible for inclusion. Systemic analysis suggested that, in all patients, pooled RR was 44.8% (60/134) in ifosfamide-containing regimens. Major adverse effects were neutropenia, leukopenia, and fatigue inIfosfamide-containing regimens; No treatment related death occurred in cantharidin combined regimens. Conclusion: This systemic analysis suggests that ifosfamide-containing regimens are associated with good response rate and acceptable toxicity in treating patients with osteosarcoma, but this result should be confirmed by randomized clinical trials.

• Journal of the Korean society of biological therapies in psychiatry
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.142-155
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• 2018

Insomnia in patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT) has been underdiagnosed and undertreated. This study reviewed the frequency, characteristics, physical and psychological effects, and treatments of insomnia in HSCT patients to highlight clinical importance in this specialized population. Furthermore, the authors intended to suggest a model that would conceptualize insomnia in the context of HSCT. In the pre-transplant period, about half of patients with HSCT suffered from sleep disturbance. A substantial number of patients experienced distressing insomnia during the HSCT procedure and recovered to the level of the pre-transplant period. However, sleep disruption could be a chronic symptom in HSCT survivors and could negatively impact quality of control, cancer-related fatigue(CRF), immune function, and psychological distress. The 3P's model(Predisposing, Precipitating, Perpetuating) explains insomnia in cancer population and could be also relevant to HSCT patients with specific consideration of CRF, graft-versus-host diseases, specific properties of hematological disease, and protective isolated milieu. Effective treatment of insomnia in HSCT includes non-pharmacological(e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, environmental modification) and pharmacological interventions. The decision of pharmacological treatment should be based on the issue of safety due to high risk of potential drug-drug interactions. Screening, treatment, and further research of insomnia in HSCT patients using validated subjective and/or objective measures are warranted.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.76-87
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the psychological distress related to quality of life (QoL) of patients with colorectal cancer receiving 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy at home with disposable Elastomeric infusion pumps. Methods: In this study, 179 colorectal outpatients were recruited between September 2019 and January 2021. National Cancer Center Psychological Symptom Inventory scores, general self-efficacy, and the EORTC QLQ-C30 scores were measured. Data were analyzed using Independent t-test, One-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc analysis, and hierarchical multiple linear regression with the SPSS/WIN 26.0 programs. Results: The overall prevalence of psychological distress was 52.0% in colorectal patients. In multiple regression, psychological distress (β=-.20, p=.005), appetite loss (β=-.20, p=.001), chemotherapy cycles (β= .19, p=.002), fatigue (β=-.16, p=.035), physical functioning (β=-.16, p=.024), and emotional functioning (β=-.15, p=.025) were significant factors of QoL, and the final model explained 45.0% of the total variance of QoL. Conclusion: Supporting patients toward decreased psychological distress and increased physical and emotional functioning, especially in the first or second cycle of chemotherapy, could be used to improve their QoL. To consider the thresholds for clinical importance, it is necessary to increase the interpretation of psychological distress in clinical practice and further research.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.215-224
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• 2006

Objectives : In order to apply useful data to clinical practice, we undertook this study and tried to find factors related with sequelae of facial palsy in relation with patients' age and gender distribution, past history with the disease, condition before onset, duration of recovery time, existence of remaining sequelae, types of the sequelae, and duration for sequelae to disappear. Methods : We evaluated patients' condition (fatigue, stress, chills, cold and so on), past history (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, stroke, herpes zoster, cancer and so on), duration of recovery time, types of the sequelae, age and sequelae distribution as to when the treatments were started as we examined 473 patients who were diagnosed with facial palsy, and visited the Out-patient Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion of Bundang Oriental Medicine Hospital of Dongguk University through 2003 and 2004. Results : The sequelae of facial palsy were not significantly relevant to the signs found before facial palsy occurred(fatigue, stress, chills, and cold), or to patients' past history (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, facial palsy, herpes zoster). The duration of recovery time was within 30 days for 45.3% of the patients examined in this study, and within 90 days for 72.6%. Evaluating the existence of sequelae in relation to age, we found more in the group comprised of patients aged 50 and over than under 50. We found more sequelae in the group which is consisted of patients who had not been treated until 6 days after than within 5 days from the onset. Conclusion: Attention to sequelae will be needed for patients aged 50 and over and who were not treated until 6 days after the onset, as they had more sequelae.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.55-65
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• 2022

Caring for patients with cancer is highly stimulating and rewarding, attracting health professionals to the field who enjoy the challenge of managing a complex illness. Health professionals often form close bonds with their patients as they confront ongoing disease or treatment impacts, which may be associated with multiple losses involving function and/or eventual loss of life. Ongoing exposure to patient loss, along with a challenging work setting, may pose significant stress and impact health professionals' well-being. The prevalence rates of burnout and compassion fatigue (CF) are significant, yet health professionals have little knowledge on these topics. A 6-week continuing education program consisting of weekly small-group video-conferencing sessions, case-based learning, and an online community of practice was delivered to health care providers providing oncology care. Program content included personal, organization and team-related risk and protective factors associated with CF, grief models, and strategies to mitigate against CF. Content analysis was completed as part of the program evaluation. In total, 189 participants (93% nurses) completed the program, which was associated with significant improvements in confidence and knowledge of CF and strategies to support self and team resilience. Qualitative themes and vignettes from experiences with the program are presented. Key themes included knowledge gaps, a lack of support related to CF and strategies to support resilience, organization-and team-based factors that can inhibit expression about the impacts of clinical work, the health professional as a "person" in caregiving, and the role of personal variables, self-skill practices, and recommendations for education and support for self and teams.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.4765-4771
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• 2014

Background: Patients with chronic liver diseases (CLD) may have compromised health related quality of life (HRQoL). Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has long been the leading cause of CLD including liver cancer and cirrhosis. Knowledge on different symptom profiles of CLD should help in development of comprehensive treatment and patient care plans. Objective: To access the facets of HRQoL in chronic liver diseases throughout their spectrum of severity. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University in Yunnan Province of China. Both out- and inpatients undergoing treatment protocols for different HBV related liver disease states were consecutively collected from December 2012 to June 2013. ANOVA was used to compare the mean scores of EQ-5D and chronic liver disease questionnaire (CLDQ) among 5 disease groups. The relationship between demographic variables predicting global CLDQ scores and the domains of CLDQ was analysed. Results: A total of 1040 patients including 520 without complications, 91 with compensated cirrhosis, 198 with decompensated cirrhosis, 131 with HCC and 100 with liver failure were recruited. All domains of CLDQ, the means of EQ-5D value and EQ VAS exhibited significant decline with worsening of disease severity from uncomplicated HBV to liver failure. The multivariate regression demonstrated the reduction of mean scores of CLDQ domain at advanced stage. Patients with liver failure and HCC had more HRQoL impairment than other disease states. No effect of patient gender was found. Patient age was associated with 'fatigue' and 'worry' domains (p=0.006; p=0.004) but not with other domains and global scores of CLDQ and ED-5D. Conclusions: The HRQoL in chronic hepatitis B patients is greatly affected by disease states. Care for HBV-related diseases should consider not only the outcomes of treatment strategies but also improvement in patient wellbeing.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.126-134
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• 2020

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the needs for return-to-work support of cancer survivors and related factors in patients with cancer and their caregivers. Methods : 182 patients and 114 caregivers were recruited. Distress Thermometer and Problem List and scale ranging 0~10 measuring the degree of needs for return-to-work support were utilized. The needs for return-to-work support between the patient group and caregiver group (patient's needs evaluated by the caregiver) were compared, and related factors were investigated using logistic regression analysis. Results : 34.6% and 28.1% of patients and caregivers reported return-to-work support of cancer survivors is "very necessary". The degree of needs was 6.60±3.365 points in the patient group and 6.17±3.454 points in the caregiver group, with no significant difference (p=0.282). The needs for return-to-work support evaluated by patients was high when they underwent surgery (OR=2.592, p=0.007), has fertility problems (OR=6.137, p=0.025), has appearance problems (OR=2.081, p=0.041), or has fatigue (OR=2.330, p=0.020). The needs for return-to-work support of patients evaluated by caregivers was high when patients treated with breast cancer (vs respiratory cancer, OR=13.038, p=0.022 ; vs leukemia/lymphoma, OR=4.517, p=0.025 ; vs other cancer, OR=13.102, p=0.019), has work/school problems (OR=4.578, p=0.005), or has depression (OR=3.213, p=0.022). Conclusions : The degree of needs for return-to-work support of cancer survivors was high, and factors related to the needs were different between the two groups. This suggests that return-to-work support of cancer survivors is required, and clinical characteristics, the distress of patients, and differences between patients and their caregivers should be considered in establishing a support plan.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.229-238
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• 2000

A properly prescribed wheelchair may be able to normalize tone. decrease pathologic reflex activity, improve postural symmetry, enhance range of movement, maintain and/or improve skin conduit)n. increase comfort and sitting tolerance, decrease fatigue, and improve function of the autonomic nervous system. Whereas a poorly prescribed one can actually exacerbate the problems associated with a disability. Maintained for longer without relief, pressure concentrations may also lead to tissue breakdown. Pressure sores continue to be a major problem for many disabled individuals. Many groups of disabled individuals have a very high incidence of pressure sores, including those individuals with spinal cord injuries. hemiplegia, multiple sclerosis. cancer. and the disabled geriatric population. It is important to understand the factors which predispose an individuals to the development of a pressure sores. Those factors can divided into extrinsic factors, related to the individual's immediate environment and intrinsic factors. related to their medical or physical condition. Pressure sores are generally preventable through sensible pressure management based on an understanding of the causes of pressure sores, risk factors and methods of redistributing pressure.