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Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) · Mar 2007
ReviewAnxiety, depression and quality of life of cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy: a cross-sectional study in a community hospital outpatient centre.
The purpose of the present study is to determine the impact of illness characteristics and psychopathological comorbidity on the quality of life (QoL) of radio-oncological patients in health-related and individual dimensions. Sixty-three of 93 eligible patients (40 women and 23 men) were included in the study during their radiation therapy visit to an outpatient centre annexed to a community hospital in Southern Bavaria, Germany. In a semi-structured interview, we elicited individually relevant life domains rated by the patients according to the 'Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life - Direct Weighting'. ⋯ Psychopathological comorbidity has a considerable influence on QoL of patients undergoing radiotherapy. Measuring the individual QoL appears as an adapted needs assessment and helps the psychotherapist in focusing on the patient's problems and desires. Furthermore, the patient's QoL is a main target in providing or planning mental health care in non-university oncological services.
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J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. · Apr 2013
Comparative StudyNodular melanoma: a distinct clinical entity and the largest contributor to melanoma deaths in Victoria, Australia.
There is a growing body of evidence that nodular melanoma (NM), because of its association with increased growth rate and thickness at diagnosis, accounts for a substantial proportion of melanoma deaths. ⋯ The incidence of thick melanomas continues to increase. Nodular melanoma is clinically distinct and the predominant contributor to melanoma-related deaths, representing a public health challenge in reducing skin cancer mortality.
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Years-of-life-lost (YLL) contribute nearly two-thirds of the disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) worldwide and are especially Important for India where infant and child mortality is still high. These were estimated for India under the Global Burden of Disease study for the year 1990. No estimates are available for the different states of India. We aimed to prepare state-wise estimates of YLL for different causes of death in rural areas and to determine the causes responsible for a higher burden in different states. ⋯ These results provide a new perspective about the causes of death that need more attention in rural areas of different states of India. These will also help prioritize areas which require more inputs at the state-level and hence will be useful for health policymakers.
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The widespread use of household bleach (5.25% sodium hypochlorite) as a disinfectant by IV drug users may cause an increase in the number of IV injections of this substance. We report the case of a 31-year-old man who injected less than 1 mL of bleach and then experienced transient left-sided chest pain and vomiting. ⋯ This report is similar to the only other reported case in the medical literature of an IV injection of a small amount of bleach. Based on these two reports, household bleach appears to be safe when used as a disinfectant by IV drug users, but more studies are needed.
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The racial disparity in hypertension and hypertension-related outcomes has been recognized for decades with African Americans with greater risks than Caucasians. Blood pressure levels have consistently been higher for African Americans with an earlier onset of hypertension. Although awareness and treatment levels of high blood pressure have been similar, racial differences in control rates are evident. ⋯ The reasons for the racial disparities in elevated blood pressure and hypertension-related outcomes risk remain unclear. However, the implications of the disparities of hypertension for prevention and clinical management are substantial, identifying African American men and women with excel hypertension risk and warranting interventions focused on these differences. In addition, focused research to identify the factors attributed to these disparities in risk burden is an essential need to address the evidence gaps.