1
|
Howren MB, Christensen AJ, Pagedar NA. Prevalence of pain in a sample of long-term survivors of head and neck cancer. Am J Otolaryngol 2024; 45:104300. [PMID: 38640810 PMCID: PMC11168893 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2024.104300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The experience of long-term pain in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors is important but has received less attention in the HNC literature. The present study sought to examine the prevalence of pain from 2 to 5 years postdiagnosis and its association with HNC-specific health-related quality of life. MATERIALS & METHODS Prospective observational study at a single-institution tertiary care center. Pain was measured using a single item ranging from 0 to 10 with 0 representing no pain and 10 representing worst pain possible at 2 through 5 years postdiagnosis. HNC-specific HRQOL was measured using the Head and Neck Cancer Inventory (HNCI). RESULTS Pain reports were consistent across time. At 2 years postdiagnosis (N = 581), 27.6 % experienced at least some pain with 14.3 % reporting moderate or severe pain. At 3 years postdiagnosis (N = 417), 21.4 % experienced at least some pain with 14.2 % indicating moderate or severe pain. At 4 years postdiagnosis (N = 334), 26.7 % experienced at least some pain with 15.9 % reporting moderate or severe pain. At 5 years postdiagnosis (N = 399), 30.5 % experienced at least some pain with 17.5 % indicating moderate or severe pain. In general, across all four HNCI domains, those in the moderate and severe pain categories largely failed to reach 70 which is indicative of high functioning on the HNCI. CONCLUSIONS Pain is a considerable issue in long-term HNC survivors up to 5 years postdiagnosis. More research is needed to understand correlates of pain after treatment, including opportunities for screening and intervention, to improve outcomes and optimize recovery in HNC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Bryant Howren
- Center for Access & Delivery Research and Evaluation (CADRE), VA Iowa City Healthcare System, Iowa City, IA, United States of America; Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America; Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America.
| | - Alan J Christensen
- Department of Psychology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States of America
| | - Nitin A Pagedar
- Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America; Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wierzbicka M, Markowski J, Pietruszewska W, Burduk P, Mikaszewski B, Rogowski M, Składowski K, Milecki P, Fijuth J, Jurkiewicz D, Niemczyk K, Maciejczyk A. Algorithms of follow-up in patients with head and neck cancer in relation to primary location and advancement. Consensus of Polish ENT Society Board and Head Neck Experts. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1298541. [PMID: 38152365 PMCID: PMC10751934 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1298541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Summary The algorithm of follow-up in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) has been prepared by a board of Polish Head Neck and Oncology Experts. The aim of this research is to focus on the specificity of HNC monitoring, to review the current trends in follow-up, and to adapt the evidence-based medicine international standards to the capabilities of the local healthcare service. Materials and methods The first methodological step was to categorize HNCs according to the estimated risk of failure after the adequate first-line treatment and according to the possibility of effective salvage treatment, resulting in improved overall survival. The final method used in this work was to prepare an authors' original monitoring algorithm for HNC groups with a high, moderate, and low risk of recurrence in combination with a high or low probability of using an effective salvage. Results Four categories were established: Ia. low risk of recurrence + effective organ preservation feasible; Ib. low risk of recurrence + effective salvage feasible; II. moderate risk of recurrence + effective salvage feasible; III. high risk of recurrence + effective salvage feasible; and IV. high risk of recurrence + no effective salvage feasible. Follow-up visit consisting of 1. ENT examination + neck ultrasound, 2. imaging HN tests, 3. chest imaging, 4. blood tests, and 5. rehabilitation (speech and swallowing) was scheduled with a very different frequency, at the proposed monthly intervals, tailored to the needs of the group. The number of visits for individual groups varies from 1 to 8 in the first 2 years and from 1 to 17 in the entire 5-year monitoring period. Group IV has not been included in regular follow-up, visits on own initiative of the patient if symptomatic, or supportive care needs, having in mind that third-line therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors are available. Conclusion Universal monitoring algorithm for HNC four groups with a high, moderate, and low risk of recurrence after the adequate treatment in combination with a high or low probability of using an effective salvage is an innovative approach to redeploying system resources and ensuring maximum benefit for patients with HNC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Wierzbicka
- Department of Otolaryngology, Regional Specialist Hospital Wroclaw, Research & Development Centre, Wroclaw, Poland
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wroclaw, Poland
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Jarosław Markowski
- Department of Laryngology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Wioletta Pietruszewska
- Department of Otolaryngology Head Neck Oncology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Paweł Burduk
- Department of Otolaryngology Phoniatrics and Audiology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Bogusław Mikaszewski
- Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Marek Rogowski
- Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Składowski
- Radiation and Clinical Oncology Department, Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Piotr Milecki
- Department of Radiotherapy I, The Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
| | - Jacek Fijuth
- Department of Radiation Therapy, Oncology Chair, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Dariusz Jurkiewicz
- Department of Otolaryngology and Laryngological Oncology with Clinical Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Military Institute of Medicine - National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Kazimierz Niemczyk
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Adam Maciejczyk
- Department of Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Howren MB, Seaman A, Super GL, Christensen AJ, Pagedar NA. Examination of Predictors of Pain at 12 Months Postdiagnosis in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2023; 169:1506-1512. [PMID: 37403789 PMCID: PMC10766866 DOI: 10.1002/ohn.416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pain following the completion of treatment is important but has received less attention in the head and neck cancer (HNC) literature. The present study sought to examine the prevalence and predictors of pain measured 12 months postdiagnosis and its impact on HNC-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in 1038 HNC survivors. STUDY DESIGN Prospective observational study. SETTING Single-institution tertiary care center. METHODS Pain was measured using a single item ranging from 0 to 10 with 0 representing no pain and 10 representing the worst pain possible. Self-reported depressive symptomatology was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory and self-reported problem alcohol use was measured by the Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test. HNC-specific HRQOL was measured using the Head and Neck Cancer Inventory (HNCI). RESULTS Hierarchical multivariable linear regression analyses indicated that in addition to pain at 3 months postdiagnosis (β = .145, t = 3.18, sr2 = .019, p = .002), both depressive symptomatology (β = .110, t = 2.49, sr2 = .011, p = .015) and problem alcohol use (β = .092, t = 2.07, sr2 = .008, p = .039) were significant predictors of pain at 12 months postdiagnosis. Subgroup analyses suggest that across all 4 HNCI domains, those in the moderate and severe pain groups at 12 months postdiagnosis failed to reach 70 which is indicative of high functioning. CONCLUSION Pain in patients with HNC is a considerable issue at 12 months postdiagnosis, deserving further attention. Behavioral factors such as depression and problem alcohol use may be associated with pain and require systematic screening over time to identify and treat issues that impact optimal long-term recovery from HNC, including disease-specific HRQOL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M. Bryant Howren
- Department of Behavioral Sciences & Social Medicine, College of Medicine, Florida State University; Tallahassee, FL
- Florida Blue Center for Rural Health Research & Policy, College of Medicine, Florida State University; Tallahassee, FL
| | - Aaron Seaman
- Center for Access Delivery Research & Evaluation (CADRE), VA Iowa City Healthcare System; Iowa City, IA
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Iowa; Iowa City, IA
| | - Grace L. Super
- College of Medicine, Florida State University; Tallahassee, FL
| | | | - Nitin A. Pagedar
- Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa; Iowa City, IA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Gong R, Zhang L, Su X, Lei C, Yu H, Huang Y, Zhang J, Xu W, Pu Y, Wei X, Yu Q, Shi Q. Remote research burden of follow-up in longitudinal patient-reported outcomes (PROs) data collection: An exploratory sequential mixed-methods study (Preprint).. [DOI: 10.2196/preprints.51290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Longitudinal patient-reported outcomes studies require questionnaire assessments to be administered remotely multiple times, burdening research staff.
OBJECTIVE
To define and quantify the burden that researcher may experience during patient follow-up.
METHODS
Data were collected via interviews and a questionnaire. This study is an exploratory sequential mixed-methods study. Traditional content analysis was used for the qualitative data. Quantitative data were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation, and significance was tested using the chi-square test. Learning curves of healthcare staff regarding follow-up calls were generated using cumulative summation analysis.
RESULTS
We constructed a three-dimension conceptual framework for staff burden: (a) time-related burden, (b) technical-related burden, and (c) emotional-related burden. The quantitative analysis found that follow-up time was significantly correlated with staff experience, workload, and learning curve periods. There was a significant difference between the lost-to-follow-up rate of staff with and without follow-up experience with this program. Staff working on a daily assessment schedule had a higher lost-to-follow-up rate than those on a twice-a-week schedule. Additionally, inexperienced follow-up staff needed 113 calls to achieve stable follow-up time and quality, while experienced staff needed only 55 calls.
CONCLUSIONS
Researchers in longitudinal PROs projects suffer from a multidimensional burden during remote follow-up. Our results may help establish a proper PROs follow-up protocol to reduce the burden on research staff without sacrificing data quality.
Collapse
|