Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jun 2010
Review Meta AnalysisA systematic review of topical treatments to control the odor of malignant fungating wounds.
Malignant fungating wounds (MFW) result from cutaneous infiltration by carcinogenic cells. Fetid odor, profuse exudate, pain, and infection are common symptoms that add to the physical and psychological suffering of patients with MFW. The topical treatment of MFW remains controversial. ⋯ Of the 59 studies of odor, 20 fulfilled all the criteria for inclusion. Few studies of high quality were found, and the principal methodological flaws were the design of the studies, the sample size, and the absence of scales to measure odor. Grade B evidence for the treatment of MFW was found with topical metronidazole, Mesalt dressing, activated carbon dressing, and curcumin ointment.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jun 2010
Randomized Controlled TrialEfficacy of short-term life-review interviews on the spiritual well-being of terminally ill cancer patients.
There is a little information about effective psychotherapies to enhance the spiritual well-being of terminally ill cancer patients. ⋯ We conclude that the Short-Term Life Review is effective in improving the spiritual well-being of terminally ill cancer patients, and alleviating psychosocial distress and promoting a good death.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jun 2010
Associations among hypogonadism, C-reactive protein, symptom burden, and survival in male cancer patients with cachexia: a preliminary report.
Cachexia is characterized by muscle wasting, anorexia, and elevated inflammatory markers. In patients without cancer, hypogonadism is associated with lower lean body mass, increased symptom burden, and decreased survival. Hypogonadism in cancer cachexia could exacerbate symptoms, facilitate a proinflammatory state, and decrease survival. ⋯ Our preliminary results suggest that testosterone and CRP may be additive or synergistic as markers for survival in male patients and could be useful in future prognostic models.
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There is abundant evidence that quality of life (QOL) is compromised in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS), but researchers have not yet examined the possible association between co-occurring symptoms and QOL in this population. ⋯ Such findings provide emerging support for a dose-response relationship between worsening symptoms of fatigue, pain, depression, and perceived cognitive complaints and QOL in persons with MS.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jun 2010
Review GuidelineASCPRO recommendations for the assessment of fatigue as an outcome in clinical trials.
Development of pharmacological and behavioral interventions for cancer-related fatigue (CRF) requires adequate measures of this symptom. A guidance document from the Food and Drug Administration offers criteria for the formulation and evaluation of patient-reported outcome measures used in clinical trials to support drug or device labeling claims. ⋯ There exist in the literature good measures of CRF for clinical trials, with strong evidence of clarity and comprehensibility to patients, content and construct validity, reliability, and sensitivity to change in conditions in which one would expect them to change (assay sensitivity), and sufficient evidence to establish guides for interpreting changes in scores. Direction for future research is discussed.