1,721,020 research outputs found
ColoREctal Wellbeing (CREW) database
No full textCREW is a longitudinal cohort study to explore recovery of health and wellbeing following primary treatment of colorectal cancer (ColoREctal Wellbeing cohort study). The purpose was to follow a thousand people who had colorectal cancer to map out the path of recovery over time, to look at how long it takes to feel healthy and well again after cancer.
Access to the dataset is restricted. See http://www.horizons-hub.org.uk/access_data.html for terms and conditions. Contact the study on 023 8059 6885 or [email protected]</span
Development of a psychoeducational intervention for patients with cancer cachexia and their informal carers
No full textCancer cachexia has a negative impact on patients and their informal caregivers but as there are no approved drug treatments for the condition, palliation of symptoms is the main therapeutic goal. This thesis describes the development and piloting of a workshop, the first small group psychoeducational intervention for cancer cachexia. The main objective of the workshop was to improve the quality of life (QOL) of patients and carers. A new questionnaire, the QLQ-CAX24 was developed to assess QOL in patients with cancer cachexia. A study to explore the feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial (RCT) using the workshop in a secondary care setting was conducted. Workshop development was consistent with the MRC guidelines for developing and evaluating complex interventions and development followed the Coventry Intervention Development Process. A systematic review of the patient literature generated a comprehensive list of QOL issues and was used to develop a model of the patient experience of cancer cachexia. This model, along with the Integrated Theory of Health Behaviour Change provides the theoretical underpinning of the workshop. The patient systematic review supplemented interviews with patient and health care professional (HCP) interviews in the development of the QLQ-CAX24. A systematic review of the carer literature was limited by the available data but domains of experience were identified. The intervention targets of the workshop were identified by carrying out interviews with patients, carers and HCPs and by consulting the patient and carer systematic reviews. The published literature and other cancer cachexia interventions informed the content of the workshop, both in terms of the information it provides and the methods used to deliver this information. Pilot and feasibility testing demonstrated that although the workshop was acceptable, a different recruitment strategy is required for the planned RCT.<br/
Is digit ratio (2D:4D) related to systemizing and empathizing? Evidence from direct finger measurements reported in the BBC internet survey
No full textThe ratio of 2nd to 4th digit length (2D:4D), the systemizing quotient (SQ) and the empathizing quotient (EQ) are putative correlates of prenatal testosterone. However, the evidence that 2D:4D is related to SQ or EQ is mixed. Voracek and Dressler (2006) used indirect finger measurements and found no significant associations with 2D:4D and SQ or EQ whereas von Horn, Backman, Davidsson, and Hansen (2010) reported significant correlations between 2D:4D and a composite measure of SQ and EQ using direct finger measurements. Here we report associations of 2D:4D, SQ and EQ in participants from a large internet survey in which direct measurements of fingers were collected. We found (i) significant negative correlations of SQ with 2D:4D, this being stronger for right hand 2D:4D and independent of sex, age, height. ethnicity, sexual orientation, and education. (ii) no significant correlation of EQ and 2D:4D. We further examined mean 2D:4D's and found suggestions of a distortional effect of indirect finger measurement in the Voracek and Dressler (2006) study. Our results partly replicate those of von Horn et al. (2010) and emphasize the use of direct finger measurements when studying associations between 2D:4D and target traits with small effect size. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd
Domestic abuse in the context of life-limiting illness: a systematic scoping review
No full textDomestic abuse is a worldwide public health and social issue which impacts the health and wellbeing of those experiencing abuse and their families. People living with a life-limiting illness are at increased risk of domestic abuse because they are often frail, isolated, and dependent on others. Little is known about domestic abuse and the coexistence of life-limiting illness and existing support for those experiencing or at risk of abuse. A scoping review was conducted to identify factors that shape and characterise experiences of adults with a life-limiting illness affected by domestic abuse and the health and social care practitioners and other organisations that support them. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and checklist for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses-Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) were applied. Five databases were systematically searched from 2000 to 2021: MEDLINE; CINAHL; PsycINFO; Social Sciences Citation Index (Web of Science); and ProQuest Dissertations and Global. Twenty-one papers met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were conducted in North America, with female participants living with cancer, and conducted in health and community settings. There were no studies involving third sector organisations. A range of abusive behaviours was reported resulting in missed medical appointments, delays in screening leading to late diagnosis, and palliative rather than curable treatment. Abuse also impacted on the physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing of the person experiencing the abuse, which increased stress levels and could have a detrimental effect on their health. Identifying domestic abuse within the context of life-limiting illness was reported to be challenging for health and social care professionals, as was responding to and managing a disclosure. Further research is needed to address existing knowledge in order to inform policy and practice to identify and manage domestic abuse where it coexists with life-limiting illness
The role of health literacy in cancer care: A mixed studies systematic review
No full textBackgroundPatients diagnosed with cancer face many challenges and need a good understanding of their diagnosis and proposed treatments to make informed decisions about their care. Health literacy plays an important role in this and low health literacy has been associated with poorer outcomes. The aims of this review are to identify which outcomes relate to health literacy in patients with cancer, and to combine this through a mixed studies approach with the patient experience as described through qualitative studies.MethodsFour electronic databases were searched in January 2021 to identify records relating to health literacy and patients with cancer. Records were independently screened then assessed for inclusion by two reviewers according to the following criteria: patients aged ≥18 years with cancer, English language publication AND health literacy measured with validated tool and measured outcome associated with health literacy OR qualitative study exploring the role of health literacy as patients make decisions about health. Quality was independently assessed by two reviewers. A narrative synthesis was performed, and findings integrated through concept mapping. This systematic review was registered with PROSPERO, entry CRD42020166454.Results4441 records were retrieved. Following de-duplication, 2496 titles and abstracts were screened and full texts of 405 papers were reviewed for eligibility. 66 papers relating to 60 studies met the eligibility criteria. Lower health literacy was associated with greater difficulties understanding and processing cancer related information, poorer quality of life and poorer experience of care. Personal and situational influences contributed to how participants processed information and reached decisions about their care.ConclusionThis review highlights the important role of health literacy for patients with cancer. Outcomes are poorer for those who experience difficulties with health literacy. Further efforts should be made to facilitate understanding, develop health literacy and support patients to become more involved in their care
Equivalence testing of a newly developed interviewer-led telephone script for the EORTC QLQ-C30
No full textPurpose: the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life-Core Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) is a widely used generic self-report measure of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for cancer patients. However, no validated voice script for interviewer-led telephone administration was previously available. The aim of this study was to develop a voice script for interviewer administration via telephone. Methods: following guidelines from the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) PRO Mixed Modes Good Research Practices Task Force, a randomised cross-over equivalence study, including cognitive debriefing, was conducted to assess equivalence between paper and telephone administration modes. Assuming an expected intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.70 and a minimally acceptable level of 0.50, a sample size of 63 was required. Results: cognitive interviews with five cancer patients found the voice script to be clear and understandable. Due to a protocol deviation in the first wave of testing, only 26 patients were available for analyses. A second wave of recruitment was conducted, adding 37 patients (n = 63; mean age 55.48; 65.1% female). Total ICCs for mode comparison ranged from 0.72 (nausea and vomiting, 95% CI 0.48–0.86) to 0.90 (global health status/QoL, 95% CI 0.80–0.95; pain, 95% CI 0.79–0.95; constipation, 95% CI 0.80–0.95). For paper first administration, all ICCs were above 0.70, except nausea and vomiting (ICC 0.55; 95% CI 0.24–0.76) and financial difficulties (ICC 0.60; 95% CI 0.31–0.79). For phone first administration, all ICCs were above 0.70. Conclusions: the equivalence testing results support the voice script’s validity for administration of the QLQ-C30 via telephone.</p
Diet and weight management by people with non-metastatic colorectal cancer during chemotherapy: mixed methods research
Full text linkAim: to investigate self-management of dietary intake by colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Methods: a questionnaire was administered to 92 patients with non-metastatic colorectal cancer receiving chemotherapy treatment at a UK cancer centre in 2018-19. A maximum variation sample of twenty patients who completed the questionnaire were interviewed. Results: more than three in five patients were at nutritional risk but fewer than one in five were concerned about dietary intake or weight. Self-management of diet and weight was inconsistent with achieving the nutritional intake recommended by clinical guidelines on nutrition in cancer.Conclusion: there is potential for psychoeducation to support change in self-management of nutritional risk, with implications for better treatment tolerance and outcomes including quality of life. <br/
Sexually dimorphic traits (digit ratio, body height, systemizing–empathizing scores) and gender segregation between occupations: Evidence from the BBC internet study
No full textThe proportion of women (PW) across occupations shows considerable variation. Here we hypothesize that occupational segregation could be moderated by the effect of testosterone (T), leading individuals to gender-typical choice of occupation. To test this, we examined the relationship between PW across 22 occupations and three putative correlates of T (the 2nd to 4th digit ratio [2D:4D], a supposed correlate of prenatal T [PT]; body height, a possible correlate of adult T [AT]; and a systemizing–empathizing score [SQ–EQ], a putative behavioural correlate of PT and AT) in a large internet survey. PW varied from 17% (Engineering/R&D) to 94% (Homemaker) per occupation. Compared to participants in female-typical jobs, participants in male-typical jobs tended to have low right hand 2D:4D and low right–left hand 2D:4D [Dr-l] (higher PT, women only), were taller (higher AT, men and women), and had higher SQ–EQ scores (higher PT and AT, men and women). With regard to women, the relationships for Dr-l and SQ–EQ (but not body height) remained significant when Whites only were considered. We conclude that in women Dr-l, and SQ–EQ are related to occupational segregation, suggesting that high PT and AT are found in women who are in male-typical occupations
Nutritional care in colorectal cancer-what is the state of play?
Full text linkAim
Nutrition is associated with aetiology and impacts outcomes in colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to explore nutritional symptoms and concerns of patients with CRC and CRC dietetic resource across the UK.
Methods
Study 1 is a descriptive analysis of nutrition-related measures in the ColoRectal Wellbeing (CREW) study, a prospective 5-year longitudinal cohort study of a representative sample of 872 adults with non-metastatic CRC. Study 2 is a descriptive analysis of data collected using a freedom of information request to all UK trusts/boards on dietetic resources for CRC.
Results
Study 1 found that 31% of CREW participants wanted more diet and lifestyle advice. At 3 months post-surgery, 10% reported poor appetite. A fifth experienced weight loss and 16% had concerns regarding weight loss 9 months post-surgery. In study 2 just 3% of hospitals providing CRC services had a dedicated CRC dietitian (hepato-pancreato-biliary, 11.1%; head and neck cancer, 14.3%). There was no dietetic outpatient follow-up of CRC patients in 72% of hospitals.
Conclusions
Dietetic resource for patients with CRC is scarce even though weight loss, poor appetite and unmet needs are common and persist over time. Work is needed to embed nutritional care into the management of patients with CRC
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