Quality of life in Arab Muslim cancer survivors following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: comparison with matched healthy group

The Role of Islamic Beliefs in Facilitating Acceptance of Cancer Diagnosis

Although survival rates for patients with cancer have increased, this disease continues to affect couples significantly. Religion and culture seem to be part of the therapeutic process for people with cancer. Despite the abundance of the Arab Muslim community in Western countries, there is a lack of documented data on Arab Muslim couples experiencing cancer. A simple exploratory qualitative study was conducted through semi-structured interviews on six married couples (n = 12) identifying with the Arab Muslim culture and being affected by cancer. An iterative data analysis was performed. Results were reported under the following themes: accepting illness through coping strategies provided by Muslim religious beliefs and practices, experiencing problems with the expression of needs and feelings within the couple, experiencing closeness within the family, and experiencing illness in the hospital setting as Muslims. Our results show that Islamic beliefs can facilitate acceptance of a cancer diagnosis. It is also noted that religion seems to unite spouses in supporting each other and maintaining hope in a difficult context. Communication issues may persist between a couple due to stressors related to cancer. The results of this study could raise awareness about the importance of exploring religious and spiritual beliefs when supporting couples affected by cancer.

Predictors of post traumatic growth in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation survivors: a cross-sectional survey

AIMS

Given the increasing number of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantations (HSCT) performed world-wide, the increasing likelihood of survival following HSCT, and the profound physical, psychosocial, and emotional impact of HSCT on survivors, their carers and families, it is important to identify factors that may contribute to or support post-traumatic growth (PTG) after transplant. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of PTG in an Australian cohort of long-term allogeneic HSCT survivors and describe associations between PTG and relevant clinical, sociodemographic and psychological variables.

METHODS

This was a large, multi-centre, cross sectional survey of Australian HSCT-survivors inviting all those transplanted in New South Wales between 2000 and 2012. Respondents completed the PTG Inventory (PTGI), the Sydney Post-BMT Survey, FACT-BMT, DASS 21, The Chronic Graft versus Host Disease (GVHD) Activity Assessment-Patient Self-Report (Form B), the Lee Chronic GVHD Symptom Scale, and the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Scale. Data was analysed using independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, and pearson's correlations, and hierarchical multiple regression adjusted for potential confounders and to ascertain independent associations of explanatory variables with PTG.

RESULTS

Of 441 respondents, 99% reported some level of PTG with 67% reporting moderate to high levels of PTG. Female gender, younger age, complementary therapy use, anxiety, psychological distress and psychosocial care, and higher quality of life were associated with higher levels of PTG. Importantly, we also found that PTG was not associated with either chronic GVHD or post-HSCT morbidity.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study - the largest study of PTG in long-term allogeneic HSCT survivors - we found that growth appears ubiquitous, with 99% of survivors reporting some degree of PTG and 67% reporting moderate-high levels of PTG. Importantly, we found no association with GVHD or chronic physical post-HSCT morbidity, or adverse financial, occupational or sexual impacts. This suggests that it is the necessity for and experience of, HSCT itself that foments personal growth. Accordingly, healthcare professionals should be alert to the profound and wide-ranging impact of HSCT - and the degree to which survivor's may experience PTG. Identifying interventions that may assist HSCT survivors cope and building their resilience is of utmost importance.

Patient-reported cognitive function among hematopoietic stem cell transplant and cellular therapy patients: a scoping review

PURPOSE

Cognitive dysfunction is a known complication following cellular therapies (CT), which can be assessed through performance based and patient-reported measures. We performed a systematic scoping review to assess self-reported cognitive function measures used among adult CT patients and describe long-term results, including associations with clinical outcomes.

METHODS

Library databases were searched from inception to February 2020 according to PRISMA guidelines. Additional studies were identified through reference lists and trial protocols. Two members of the research team screened titles and abstracts and resolved discrepancies. Articles that met eligibility criteria continued to full-text review, with 25% double screening. Articles were removed if they (1) were not original research, peer-reviewed articles; (2) were the wrong disease, age, or treatment-specific patient population; (3) did not use patient-reported outcomes; (4) did not separately report cognitive function outcomes.

RESULTS

Of the1952 articles, 56 were included. Twenty-one patient-reported measures of cognitive function were used; most frequently the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC-QLQ-C30), which includes a two-item cognitive function subscale (57%; n = 32). Thirteen studies collected performance-based and self-reported measures and of those (n = 6) who assessed associations found moderate correlations (range r = .13-.58). Longitudinal patterns showed declines in cognitive function soon after treatment (< 1 month) returning to baseline at 1 year. Cognitive function was often associated with other quality of life measures, chiefly depression (n = 5).

CONCLUSIONS

EORTC-QLQ-C30 is the most commonly used to measure, though there remain numerous measures used, including several measures with little previous validation and investigator developed items.

Experiences of Muslim Cancer Survivors Living in the United States

PURPOSE

To gain an understanding of the cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship experiences of adult Muslim cancer survivors residing in the United States.

PARTICIPANTS & SETTING

A purposive sample of 17 male and 15 female Muslim cancer survivors was recruited from across the United States. Data on Muslim cancer survivors' experience were collected through individual, in-depth, semistructured interviews.

METHODOLOGIC APPROACH

An interpretive, descriptive, qualitative approach was used to gain an understanding of the experience of Muslim cancer survivors.

FINDINGS

Six broad themes were identified to gain an understanding of the cancer experiences of adult Muslim cancer survivors residing in the United States.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

This study provided key information concerning the unique experience of Muslim cancer survivors residing in the United States. Identifying, understanding, and meeting survivors' religious needs, as well as understanding their cancer experience, may reduce cancer health disparities and enhance health outcomes.

Stress and coping strategies among allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation survivors: A qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this qualitative study was to explore allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) survivors' perspectives of stresses and their coping strategies, in order to attain a deeper understanding of their experience.

METHODS

We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 Japanese allo-HSCT survivors about the stresses they experienced and how they coped. We then conducted a content-driven thematic analysis of the interview results. The interview questions probed stresses and coping strategies related to allo-HSCT.

RESULTS

We identified 74 stresses across 7 domains: symptoms after transplantation, limitations in daily life, appearance changes, relationship anxieties, work impairment and financial issues, uncertainty and disappointed expectations. In addition, 21 coping strategies were identified across 3 domains: direct efforts to manage problems, adaptive attitude, and seeking and using social support.

CONCLUSION

By identifying a broad range of stressors associated with allo-HSCT, insight was gained as to the impact of allo-HSCT on survivors' lives. These results provide a foundation for the future development of resources for survivors, their significant others and clinicians. Stressors and coping strategies among allo-HSCT survivors were comprehensively characterised, which will provide useful information for patients and enable healthcare practitioners to provide better care.

Social Support for Arab People with Chronic Conditions: A Scoping Review

Social support can play a crucial role in psycho-social well-being of people with chronic conditions. There is limited information about the experiences, barriers and sources of social support of Arab people affected by chronic conditions. The purpose of this review is to explore the experiences, barriers and sources of social support of Arab people affected by chronic conditions. A scoping review of the literature, based on Preferred Reporting Items for Scoping Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Articles (n = 13) were identified for appraisal based on a group of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eight articles were included in the final analysis. Three broad themes were identified: (a) Social support benefits-physical, emotional and financial benefits; (b) Source of social support-family and friends support, and (c) Support services utilization-cultural barrier, Arab migrants language and unfamiliarity with the health system barriers. Appropriate future support programs should be tailored based on Arab cultural beliefs and the inherent responsibility of the family together inside the Arab community.

The haematopoietic stem cell transplant survivors' sense of coherence about their experiences: a qualitative study

PURPOSE

To explore the experiences of haematopoietic stem cell transplant survivors attending the long-term follow-up unit.

METHODS

A descriptive qualitative study of eight post-haematopoietic stem cell transplant survivors which were interviewed guided by the sense of coherence framework. Thematic analysis was used to extract meaningful explication of the survivors' experiences.

RESULTS

The post-haematopoietic stem cell transplant survivors interviewed were five females and three males with age ranging from 27 to 67 years and had the stem cell transplant between 4 and 20 years. Three main themes emerged from the data including (1) comprehending the experience, (2) acknowledging the meaningfulness of the experience and (3) managing threats to a new life after the transplant. The experiences of post-haematopoietic stem cell transplant survivors were initially difficult but they were able to make re-adjustments to their new life by reconciling with their new identity, refocusing on meaningful activities, strengthening their resilience and navigating the healthcare system.

CONCLUSION

In spite of the difficulties faced by the survivors, they were able to face the challenges and made adjustment in a positive light by focusing on the valuable aspects of their experiences. Health care practitioners need to continually support them throughout their survivorship journey no matter how long it takes. Any long-term follow-up unit is a step in the right direction to meet the complex needs of the survivors by integrating and adapting clinical guidelines into routine oncologic and transplant care so that survivors are not lost in transition following treatment.

Incidence, Risk Factors and Prognosis of Acute Kidney Injury Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant: A Pilot Study

Background and Objectives

The burden of acute kidney injury (AKI) has not been explored in Jordanian patients who receive hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency, risk factors, and mortality of AKI among patients who underwent HSCT.

Methods

A retrospective pilot study included 70 adult patients who received peripheral HSCT was conducted. Weekly measurement of serum creatinine (SCr) was obtained for 3 months after chemotherapy and HSCT. Then, stages of Risk, Injury, and Failure of Kidney were determined based on the Kidney Disease for Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO).

Results

The median follow-up was 41 months. Mortality was reported in 16 patients (23%). Out of 60 patients that had SCr values, 19 patients (31.6%) had AKI in 90 days after chemotherapy. Allogeneic HSCT, male donors, high-dose melphalan protocols and values of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were significantly higher among patients with AKI.

Conclusions

Combining many nephrotoxic drugs and dosing adjustments should be considered in uniform protocols. Multidisciplinary care should be utilized to assess early kidney dysfunction that decreases adverse events and improves outcomes.

Cancer survivors exhibit a different relationship between muscle strength and health-related quality of life/fatigue compared to healthy subjects

We investigated the difference in relationship between muscle strength and quality of life (QOL)/fatigue in long-term cancer survivors and healthy subjects. Thirty-six cancer survivors and 29 healthy subjects were assessed for body composition and bone status at the calcaneus using the Osteo Sono Assessment Index. Muscle strength was evaluated via handgrip and knee extensor strength. Health-related QOL was assessed using the Medical Outcome Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey. Fatigue was measured using the brief fatigue inventory. Cancer survivors exhibited lower QOL scores in the physical functioning, physical role function, bodily pain and general health domains (p < .05). Grip and knee extension muscle strength in cancer survivors was positively correlated with the physical function and bodily pain of QOL (p < .05). The usual fatigue subscale score was only significantly higher in cancer survivors than in healthy subjects (p < .05). However, there were no correlations between muscle strength and fatigue in cancer survivors. Our results showed that muscle strength was an important factor for improving QOL in cancer survivors. We believe that the findings of this study will be relevant in the context of planning rehabilitation for cancer survivors.

Effect of Home- and Community-Based Physical Activity Interventions on Physical Function Among Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of home- and community-based physical activity interventions on physical functioning among cancer survivors based on the most prevalent physical function measures, randomized trials were reviewed.

DATA SOURCES

Five electronic databases-Medline Ovid, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and PsycINFO-were searched from inception to March 2016 for relevant articles.

STUDY SELECTION

Search terms included community-based interventions, physical functioning, and cancer survivors. A reference librarian trained in systematic reviews conducted the final search.

DATA EXTRACTION

Four reviewers evaluated eligibility and 2 reviewers evaluated methodological quality. Data were abstracted from studies that used the most prevalent physical function measurement tools-Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument, European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire, and 6-minute walk test. Random- or fixed-effects models were conducted to obtain overall effect size per physical function measure.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Fourteen studies met inclusion criteria and were used to compute standardized mean differences using the inverse variance statistical method. The median sample size was 83 participants. Most of the studies (n=7) were conducted among breast cancer survivors. The interventions produced short-term positive effects on physical functioning, with overall effect sizes ranging from small (.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], .07-.27) to medium (.45; 95% CI, .23-.67). Community-based interventions that met in groups and used behavioral change strategies produced the largest effect sizes.

CONCLUSIONS

Home and community-based physical activity interventions may be a potential tool to combat functional deterioration among aging cancer survivors. More studies are needed among other cancer types using clinically relevant objective functional measures (eg, gait speed) to accelerate translation into the community and clinical practice.