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Syros A, Baron MC, Adalbert J, Remer HB, Heng M, Crawford B. Barriers to care for musculoskeletal sarcoma patients: a public health perspective. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1399471. [PMID: 39234070 PMCID: PMC11373356 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1399471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction This study seeks to investigate the barriers to care that exist for patients presenting with sarcomas of musculoskeletal origin. Understanding the roots of delays in care for patients with musculoskeletal sarcoma is particularly important given the necessity of prompt treatment for oncologic diagnoses. Investigators reviewed relevant studies of publications reporting barriers to care in patients undergoing diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal tumors. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted using Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and PubMed-MEDLINE. Twenty publications were analyzed, including a total of 114,056 patients. Results Four barrier subtypes were identified: Socioeconomic Status, Geographic Location, Healthcare Quality, Sociocultural Factors. Socioeconomic status included access to health insurance and income level. Geographic location included distance traveled by patients, access to referral centers, type of hospital system and resource-challenged environments. Healthcare quality included substandard imaging, access to healthcare resources, and healthcare utilization prior to diagnosis. Sociocultural factors included psychological states, nutrition, education and social support. Conclusion After identifying the most significant barriers in this study, we can target specific public health issues within our community that may reduce delays in care. The assessment of barriers to care is an important first step for improving the delivery of oncologic patient care to this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Syros
- Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Max C Baron
- Department of Education, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Jenna Adalbert
- Department of Orthopedics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Hallie B Remer
- Department of Education, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Marilyn Heng
- Department of Orthopedics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Brooke Crawford
- Department of Orthopedics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
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2
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Barrett L, Elliott E, Voorhaar M, Ingelgård A, Griebsch I, Wong B, Mills J, Heinrich P, Cano S. A Mixed-Methods Study to Better Measure Patient-Reported Pain and Fatigue in Soft Tissue Sarcoma. Oncol Ther 2023; 11:129-143. [PMID: 36633810 PMCID: PMC9935765 DOI: 10.1007/s40487-022-00219-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pain and fatigue are commonly reported by patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS) as distressing symptoms, yet no patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures have been validated or developed specifically for STS. This study aimed to develop novel PRO scales using existing item banks to measure pain and fatigue in STS. METHODS A three-stage mixed-methods approach was used. Stage 1: a literature review examined the development and validation of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) library, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) pain/fatigue item banks, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General, and FACIT-Fatigue. Conceptual models were developed for pain and fatigue. Stage 2: semi-structured interviews were conducted with clinical experts (n = 3) and STS patients (n = 28) to ensure conceptual coverage and cognitively debrief the selected PRO items. Stage 3: exploratory Rasch measurement theory (RMT) analyses were performed to examine the measurement properties of the proposed scales. RESULTS Stage 1: The conceptual model for fatigue was organized into two overarching domains: fatigability and fatigue, further split into two subdomains: symptoms and impact. The conceptual model for pain had one overarching domain split into two subdomains: descriptors and impact. Pain (n = 56) and fatigue (n = 40) items were selected from the EORTC item library. Stage 2: qualitative findings ensured conceptual coverage, provided insight into the relevance and comprehension of the items, and informed subsequent item reduction. Stage 3: The total item number was reduced to 43 (pain n = 18, fatigue n = 25). Exploratory RMT analyses supported the final scales' psychometric properties. CONCLUSIONS This mixed-methods research generated important information on the experience of pain and fatigue in specific subtypes of STS. Five novel PRO scales have been developed through careful item selection in consultation with experts and supported by qualitative and quantitative evidence. These scales may be of value to future clinical trials for STS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emma Elliott
- Modus Outcomes, a Division of THREAD, Cheltenham, UK
| | | | | | | | - Brendon Wong
- Boehringer Ingelheim, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany
| | - Jessica Mills
- Modus Outcomes, a Division of THREAD, Cheltenham, UK
| | | | - Stefan Cano
- Modus Outcomes, a Division of THREAD, Cheltenham, UK
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3
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Moon TM, Furdock R, Rhea L, Pergolotti M, Cipriano C, Spraker MB. PROMIS scores of patients undergoing neoadjuvant and adjuvant radiation therapy for surgically excised soft tissue sarcoma. Clin Transl Radiat Oncol 2021; 31:42-49. [PMID: 34622039 PMCID: PMC8479243 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctro.2021.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
First to evaluate PROMIS for patients undergoing radiotherapy and surgery for sarcoma. Patients exhibited meaningful change in PROMIS scores throughout the treatment. Analyses show PROMIS scores were similar between pre- and post-operative radiotherapy. Wound complications were associated with increases in anxiety and decreases in function. These data should be considered when selecting ideal therapy.
Introduction Few recent studies have examined patient reported outcomes (PROs) during pre- or post-operative radiation therapy (RT) for soft tissue sarcoma (STS), and none have used PROMIS. This study aims to examine PROMIS scores across peri-operative time points for patients receiving pre- or post-operative RT. Methods Anxiety, depression, pain interference, and physical function PROMIS domains were collected at the pre-operative (1), immediate post-operative (2), and post-treatment completion (3) timepoints for patients undergoing surgery and either pre-operative or post-operative RT. Median scores were compared between groups using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The reliable change index was used to determine minimum important change in PROMIS scores and to compare scores between timepoints. Results 95 patients were included (19 pre-operative, 76 post-operative). Both groups had significant decreases in function during treatment. Patients with wound complications were more likely to have significant increases in anxiety (36.4% vs. 8.3%; p = 0.020) and decreases in physical function (57.1% vs. 16.2%; p = 0.011) independent of RT timing. Conclusions This study demonstrates minimum significant change thresholds to detect PROMIS changes in STS patients undergoing pre- and post-operative radiotherapy. As expected, more patients with pre-operative RT than post-operative RT had wound complications (p = 0.06), but patients with complications in both groups had worse anxiety and function at the completion of treatment compared with those that did not. The association of wound complications with worse anxiety and physical function at completion of treatment should be considered when making individualized treatment recommendations regarding the timing of RT.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M Moon
- Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - R Furdock
- Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - L Rhea
- Division of Biostatistics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - M Pergolotti
- ReVital Cancer Rehabilitation Program, Select Medical, Mechanicsburg, PA, United States.,Department of Occupational Therapy, University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - C Cipriano
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - M B Spraker
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
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Hajdarevic S, Fallbjörk U, Fransson P, Åström S. Need of support perceived by patients primarily curatively treated for breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer and close to discharge from hospital-A qualitative study. J Clin Nurs 2021; 31:1216-1227. [PMID: 34288184 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.15977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
AIM To describe perceived needs of support among patients close to discharge from the hospital and at the end of primary curative radiotherapy for breast, colorectal or prostate cancer. BACKGROUND Few studies have specifically explored patients' early support needs when ending primary curative treatment. DESIGN Qualitative interview study design. METHODS A purposive sample of 27 participants with breast, colorectal or prostate cancer aged 33-88 years. The interviews were analysed by qualitative content analysis. Reporting followed the COREQ guidelines. RESULTS Personal support to reach a sense of control and Social support for personal growth were two main themes, highlighting that people required adapted support from health care since needs of support could change over time. This support from health care was also relying on that trust-based relationships were developed. Through mutuality with others and engagement in meaningful activities people became enabled and felt further supported. Personal support from health care seems specifically important for the patients' feelings of control and could be a facilitator for patients to identify further support for personal growth in how to manage, on the one hand, illness and insecurity, and on the other, their well-being and everyday life with cancer. CONCLUSION To empower patients who are ending primary treatment and being close to discharge from hospital, healthcare professionals should recognise patients' shifting needs and adapt the support. Adapted support is significant for patients' sense of safety. Biomedical information is not sufficient to fully support patients. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Offering easy access to supportive care when primary treatment is finished could diminish people's stress, insecurity and avoidable use of healthcare services. Even after discharge, nurses preferably should adapt and offer support tailored to patients' needs. Such support may improve patients' sense of control and safety, trust in health care, feelings of community and encourage personal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Per Fransson
- Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Sture Åström
- Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Windon MJ, Le D, D'Souza G, Bigelow E, Pitman K, Boss E, Eisele DW, Fakhry C. Treatment decision-making among patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer: A qualitative study. Oral Oncol 2021; 112:105044. [PMID: 33130545 PMCID: PMC8556673 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2020.105044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OPSCC) is now the most common site of head and neck squamous cell cancer. Despite the focus on treatment deintensification in clinical trials, little is known about the preferences, experiences and needs of patients with OPSCC when deciding between surgery and radiation therapy as primary treatment with curative intent. In this qualitative study, pre-treatment and post-treatment oropharyngeal cancer patients were recruited to take part in one-on-one interviews (n = 11 pre-treatment) and focus group discussions (n = 15 post-treatment) about treatment decision-making. Recordings were transcribed and assessed for emergent themes using framework analysis. From the one-on-one interviews and focus group discussions with OPSCC patients, fourteen themes were identified. Participants expressed alarm at diagnosis, decisional conflict, and a variety of roles in decision-making (physician-controlled, shared, and autonomous). Decisions were driven by the perceived recommendation of the treatment team, a desire for physical (surgical) tumor removal, fear of adverse effects of treatment, and patient-specific values. Although participants felt well-informed by their treating physicians, they identified a need for additional patient-centered information. Participants were critical of the poor quality of information available on the internet, and acknowledged the advantage of hearing the experiences of post-treatment patients. The experiences identified herein may be used to guide patient-centered communication during patient counseling and to inform interventions designed to support patients' needs at diagnosis, ultimately helping to implement high-quality, patient-centered care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina J Windon
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Daisy Le
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Gypsyamber D'Souza
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Elaine Bigelow
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Karen Pitman
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Emily Boss
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - David W Eisele
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Carole Fakhry
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, United States.
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Palm RF, Jim HSL, Boulware D, Johnstone PAS, Naghavi AO. Using the revised Edmonton symptom assessment scale during neoadjuvant radiotherapy for retroperitoneal sarcoma. Clin Transl Radiat Oncol 2020; 22:22-28. [PMID: 32181374 PMCID: PMC7063105 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctro.2020.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Patent-reported outcomes guide managment for retroperitoneal sarcoma. All patients completed treatment uninterrupted with improvements in anxiety and pain. Symptom reporting helps personalize patient care in the era of precision medicine.
Background and purpose Retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) is a rare, complex disease requiring multidisciplinary management. We have previously reported that use of the Revised Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS-r-CSS) allows for proactive symptom management, and we sought to report the results of ESAS-r-CSS screening during pre-operative radiotherapy (RT) for a cadre of patients with RPS. Materials and methods We reviewed records of 47 patients with RPS evaluated at our institution between 2015 and 2018. Of this group, 29 non-metastatic patients were treated with definitive intent neoadjuvant RT with at least 2 weekly ESAS-r-CSS reports. A generalized estimating equation model was used to compare 13 symptoms during weekly on-treatment visits compared to baseline scores at week 1 of RT. Additionally, covariate effects of age, gender, dose, tumor size and location were assessed. Results The population was predominantly male (66%) with median age of 65 years, KPS of 90, and tumor size of 12.8 cm. ESAS scores significantly decreased for anxiety at week 3 (P = 0.01), and pain at week 5 (P = 0.01). Worse constipation was reported at week 2 (P = 0.02). In an exploratory covariate analysis, female gender, age, high dose, and larger tumor size were associated with worse ESAS scores across all time points. Conclusion Patient reporting of symptoms during radiotherapy through weekly ESAS-r-CSS facilitates timely management in patients with this unique tumor type. Expectant care during RT offers the opportunity to minimize symptom progression or treatment interruptions in a population that generally has worsening side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell F Palm
- Department of Radiation Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Heather S L Jim
- Health Outcomes and Behavior Department, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - David Boulware
- Department of Biostatistics, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Peter A S Johnstone
- Department of Radiation Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Arash O Naghavi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
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Maggi G, Terrenato I, Giacomelli L, Zoccali C, Condoleo MF, Falcicchio C, Baldi J, Vari S, Ferraresi V, Biagini R, Pugliese P. Sarcoma patients' quality of life from diagnosis to yearly follow-up: experience from an Italian tertiary care center. Future Oncol 2019; 15:3125-3134. [PMID: 31512484 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2019-0237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To investigate sarcoma patients' perception of quality of life and psychosocial distress across the different disease's stages. Patients & methods: Total 329 sarcoma patients were monitored from diagnosis up to a maximum of six consecutive follow-up visits. Results: Functional status worsened over time with the lowest value after surgery and a full recovery not earlier than the second follow-up visit. Married and single patients exhibited similar quality of life pattern. High levels of psychological distress were observed from diagnosis to active treatment periods with a progressive improvement during follow-up. Psychological distress pattern over time varied by marital status and age. Conclusion: Our study suggests the importance of integrating psychosocial care to medical therapy across the entire sarcoma journey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Maggi
- Psychology Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Terrenato
- Biostatistic Unit - Scientific Direction, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Giacomelli
- Department of Surgical Sciences & Integrated Diagnostics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.,Polistudium SrL, Milan, Italy
| | - Carmine Zoccali
- Orthopaedics Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Falcicchio
- Psychology Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Jacopo Baldi
- Orthopaedics Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Sabrina Vari
- Medical Oncology 1 Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Virginia Ferraresi
- Medical Oncology 1 Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Biagini
- Orthopaedics Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Pugliese
- Psychology Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
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