Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Aug 2011
Comparative StudyComparison of the Constipation Assessment Scale and plain abdominal radiography in the assessment of constipation in advanced cancer patients.
Constipation is a distressing condition for advanced cancer patients and is frequently underdiagnosed. ⋯ Our study failed to yield a strong correlation between the CAS and the plain abdominal radiographic scores for constipation completed by three palliative medicine physicians. It is advisable that constipation in advanced cancer patients be assessed both clinically and radiographically.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Aug 2011
Differences in sleep disturbance and fatigue between patients with breast and prostate cancer at the initiation of radiation therapy.
Little is known about the occurrence and severity of sleep disturbance and fatigue between patients with common cancer diagnoses. ⋯ Based on self-report, patients with breast cancer experience sleep disturbance more frequently and with greater severity than patients with prostate cancer. Objective measures of sleep disturbance suggest that prostate cancer patients have more severe sleep disturbance than breast cancer patients. All the patients experienced poor sleep quality and fatigue, which suggests that oncology patients need to be assessed for these symptoms.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Aug 2011
Mental health and exposure to patient distress among families of nursing home residents with advanced dementia.
The effect of suffering among patients with advanced dementia on their family members' mental health has not been investigated. ⋯ Family member exposure to distressing symptoms experienced by their loved ones with advanced dementia is not uncommon and is associated with worse mental health.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Aug 2011
Assessing attitudes toward and beliefs about pain among Chinese patients with chronic pain: validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory (ChPBPI).
Research consistently has evidenced the reliability and validity of the Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory (PBPI). The instrument, however, has not been tested for its applicability and validity in non-Western populations. ⋯ These findings support the factorial validity of the scales of the ChPBPI, and its reliability and construct validity. Now clinically relevant beliefs about pain can be assessed among Chinese patients with chronic pain.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Aug 2011
Case ReportsChildhood sexual abuse in advanced cancer patients in the palliative care setting.
Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a common, distressing, yet rarely discussed topic in palliative care. The long-term effects of CSA can have a significant impact on patients' quality of life, particularly at the end of life. ⋯ Specifically, we will be discussing 1) the comorbidities, psychological distress, and family distress associated with CSA, 2) its impact on health care delivery, 3) an approach to initiating conversations regarding CSA, and 4) various management strategies. Successful management of CSA necessitates an interprofessional team approach and may help to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.