1
|
Geuens S, Willen J, Antonis C, Stegen G, Gielis E, Cuveele E, Goemans N, Lemiere J, De Waele L. The impact of clinical trial participation on quality of life and psychosocial well-being in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and their parents. Neuromuscul Disord 2023; 33:877-881. [PMID: 37926639 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2023.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Clinical trials provide Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients access to medication. Nevertheless, such involvement can impose certain burdens, as the protocol may entail strict adherence and additional demands. This study assessed the psychosocial functioning and quality of life in boys with DMD and their parents who participate in clinical trials. DMD families participating in clinical trials (n = 25) and families with DMD patients not involved in clinical trials (N = 18) were included. Questionnaires assessing psychosocial well-being and quality of life were completed by the participants and their parents. MANOVAs were employed to compare outcomes between groups. The results showed that mothers in the clinical trial group experienced significantly higher scores of somatic complaints. Fathers in the clinical trial group reported significantly fewer psychological issues compared to fathers from the other group. DMD patients participating in clinical trials reported a better overall and emotional quality of life compared to them not involved in clinical trials. This study suggests that clinical trial participation may have positive effects on quality of life and psychosocial outcomes. It highlights the importance of providing support and counseling throughout the clinical trial decision making process to minimize potential burden for both eligible and ineligible patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sam Geuens
- University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Child Neurology, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Joanna Willen
- University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Child Neurology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Corine Antonis
- University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Child Neurology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Goedele Stegen
- University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Child Neurology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Eva Gielis
- University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Child Neurology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Eline Cuveele
- University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Child Neurology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Goemans
- University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Child Neurology, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jurgen Lemiere
- University Hospitals Leuven, Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, Belgium; KU Leuven, Department Oncology, Pediatric Oncology, Belgium
| | - Liesbeth De Waele
- University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Child Neurology, Leuven, Belgium; KU Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Geuens S, Leyen K, Raymaekers K, Prikken S, Willen J, Goemans N, De Waele L, Lemiere J, Luyckx K. Illness Perceptions and Illness Identity in Adolescents and Emerging Adults With Neuromuscular Disorders. Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry 2022:13591045221125631. [PMID: 36112900 DOI: 10.1177/13591045221125631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuromuscular disorders (NMD) are intrusive medical conditions with implications for psychosocial development. OBJECTIVES This paper explores illness perceptions and illness identity dimensions of youth with NMD. First, we compare illness identity outcomes and illness perceptions of NMD patients with a comparison group of adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). Second, we report about the relationships between NMD-related variables and illness perceptions and illness identity. METHODS Scores on the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and the Illness Identity Questionnaire were compared between a group of NMD patients (N = 59; 12-22 years) and an age- and gender-matched group of DM patients (N = 118). NMD-related variables included time since diagnosis, prognosis, wheelchair use, and physical limitations. RESULTS Youth with NMD scored significantly higher on two of the four illness identity dimensions than youth with DM. NMD patients reported significantly less positive illness perceptions, experienced more physical symptoms, and had a lower score on understanding of their illness. Within the NMD group, wheelchair-users have a better understanding of their disease than those who are not wheelchair-bound. CONCLUSIONS The present study is the first to investigate illness identity and illness perceptions in NMD. More research is needed to provide insight in the identity formation process of the growing group of adolescents with NMDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sam Geuens
- Child Neurology, 60182University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Development and Regeneration, 26657KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kathelijne Leyen
- School Psychology and Development in Context, 26657KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Koen Raymaekers
- School Psychology and Development in Context, 26657KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,60182FWO Vlaanderen (Research Foundation Flanders), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sofie Prikken
- Child Neurology, 60182University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,School Psychology and Development in Context, 26657KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,60182FWO Vlaanderen (Research Foundation Flanders), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joanna Willen
- Child Neurology, 60182University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Goemans
- Child Neurology, 60182University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Development and Regeneration, 26657KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Liesbeth De Waele
- Child Neurology, 60182University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Development and Regeneration, 26657KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jurgen Lemiere
- Child Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Koen Luyckx
- School Psychology and Development in Context, 26657KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,UNIBS, 60182University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Geuens S, Willen J, Prikken S, Goemans N, Luyckx K, De Waele L. OUTCOME MEASURES. Neuromuscul Disord 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2021.07.352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
4
|
Geuens S, Willen J, Antonis C, Goemans N, De Waele L. DMD CLINICAL THERAPIES II. Neuromuscul Disord 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2018.06.161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
5
|
Singer KP, Willen J, Breidahl PD, Day RE. Radiologic study of the influence of zygapophyseal joint orientation on spinal injuries at the thoracolumbar junction. Surg Radiol Anat 1989; 11:233-9. [PMID: 2588100 DOI: 10.1007/bf02337830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The change from coronal to sagittal plane orientation of the zygapophyseal (facet) joints at the thoracolumbar junction, coupled with differences in lumbar and thoracic spine mobility, may predispose the T10 to L2 segments to injury. To test for an association between the level of injury and variations in orientation of the zygapophyseal joints, CT investigations of 44 spinal injured patients were studied. Of these, 28 sustained burst/compression fractures and 16 demonstrated a rotation injury with disruption to one or both zygapophyseal joints. Injuries were examined to determine whether more congruent "mortice" joints localised the segmental level of trauma. The Chi-square statistic was used: to compare the transitional characteristics of 44 clinical cases with a "normal" patient database (n = 630); to examine differences in transition patterns between the "compression" and "rotation" injury groups; and to compare the incidence of mortice joints between the clinical and normal series. A significant difference between the transition patterns of the clinical and normal series (p less than 0.001) appeared to account for the higher frequency of abrupt transitions in the 44 injury cases. No significant differences distinguished the transition patterns of the two injury groups. A higher incidence of mortice joints was demonstrated in the injury group compared with the normal population (p less than 0.02). These findings suggest that individuals with an abrupt transition have a greater predisposition to injuries at the thoracolumbar junction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K P Singer
- Department of Anatomy and Human Biology, University of Western Australia, Nedlands
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lindahl S, Willen J, Irstam L. Computed tomography of bone fragments in the spinal canal. An experimental study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 1983; 8:181-6. [PMID: 6857389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The detectability of bone fragments of differing size and structure, placed epidurally in the spinal canal at different levels from T XI to L II, was studied in three vertebral preparations using three different CT scanners, Philips Tomoscan 310, General Electric 8800 and Siemens Somatom 2. The thickness of the bone fragment was the most decisive factor. Cortical bone fragments could be detected down to a thickness of 0.6 mm and spongy bone fragments down to 1.2 mm. No difference in detectability between the different CT scanners was found.
Collapse
|