These initial studies highlight the potential of employing an integrated multi-tiered intervention based on a Behavioural Consultancy model to manage CBs after PBT.
This pilot study suggested the potential of an e-health strategy such as Healthy.me in addressing the needs of a growing breast cancer survivor population. Ongoing development of a more robust e-health resource and integration with primary care models is warranted.
Background
Emerging evidence supports the clinical impact of sleep disturbance (SD) in cancer patients. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of SD in people with malignant brain tumors and caregivers, and explore any relationship between the patient-caregiver dyad’s sleep.
Methods
Eighty-one adults with primary malignant (91%) or metastatic (9%) brain tumors and their family caregivers (n=44) completed a series of self-report questionnaires, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Insomnia Severity Index, and the drowsiness item of MD Anderson Symptom Inventory in an Australian ambulatory neuro-oncology setting. Participants were grouped by the PSQI cut-off (SD >5), and binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors.
Results
Of patients, 53% reported SD and 15% of those clinically significant insomnia, and 27% reported moderate to severe daytime drowsiness. While anxiety, depression, fatigue, pain, neurocognitive symptoms, and antiemetic use were higher in patients with SD; fatigue, and KPS were strong predictors of SD. In caregivers, 55% reported poor sleep and 13% clinical insomnia. Anxiety, caregiver burden, and comorbid illness were significantly associated with caregivers’ SD. The individual’s SD did not affect the chance of the other member of the patient-caregiver dyad experiencing SD.
Conclusions
Over half of the sample had sleep disturbance, which was linked to many concomitant symptoms, such as fatigue in patients and anxiety in caregivers, potentially contributing to distress and functional impairment. Understanding underlying mechanisms of SD, the potential use of these clinical predictors in care settings, and options for management is warranted.
Background
Translating outcomes achieved by clinical trials into routine care is crucial to improving outcomes of glioblastoma (GBM). This study examines the extent to which an advance in treatment for GBM has translated into meaningful, population-level survival benefits in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.
Methods
This retrospective cohort study used linked population-based cancer registry, admitted patient, and mortality datasets. The cohort (n = 2604) included NSW residents aged ≥18 years with a histologically confirmed GBM and a surgical resection between July 2001 and December 2012. The study outcome was all-cause survival, examined using multivariable proportional hazard models. The main study factor was period of surgery, categorized into 4 periods corresponding to different eras in temozolomide (TMZ) use. Survival was examined over time by age (≤70 and >70 years) and for a subcohort selected to approximate the seminal European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (Stupp) protocol trial cohort. TMZ use was estimated using aggregate prescription claims data.
Results
Median survival in 2001-2003, 2004-2006, 2007-2009, and 2010-2012 was 7.4, 9.0, 9.8, and 10.6 months, and risk-adjusted 2-year survival was 8.2%, 13.8%, 15.5%, and 18.3%, respectively. Survival improved for those aged ≤70 years and those aged >70 years. In the proxy trial subcohort, median and 2-year survival were 14.3 months and 27.3%, respectively. The volume of TMZ prescribed annually increased rapidly from 2005.
Conclusions
Introduction of TMZ into standard care in 2005 coincided with improvements in survival and a rapid increase in TMZ prescribing. Optimization of care has continued to improve survival of people with GBM in subsequent years.
PurposeFew studies have addressed the specific behavioral changes associated with primary brain tumor (PBT). This paper will report on the frequency and demographic/clinical correlates of such behaviors, and the reliability of rating such behaviors among people with PBT, family informants, and clinicians. The association of behavioral changes and patient functional status will also be discussed.MethodsA total of 57 patients with 37 family informants were recruited from two large Australian metropolitan hospitals. Each completed three neuro-behavioral self-report measures; the Emotional and Social Dysfunction Questionnaire, the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale, and the Overt Behavior Scale. Patients also completed a depression symptom measure. Functional status was defined by clinician-rated Karnofsky performance status.ResultsPatients were on average 52 years old, a median of 4 months (range 1–82) post-diagnosis, with high grade (39%), low grade (22%), or benign tumors (39%). Patients reported frequency rates of 7–40% across various behavioral domains including anger, inappropriate behavior, apathy, inertia, and executive impairment. The presence of epileptic seizures was associated with significantly higher levels of behavioral changes. Notably, behavior did not correlate with tumor grade or treatment modality. There was moderate agreement between patients and relatives on the presence or absence of behavioral changes, and substantial agreement between relative and clinician ratings. Depressed patients did not generally report more changes than non-depressed patients. Increases in the relative and clinician-rated behavior scores were significantly correlated with decreasing functional status in the patient.ConclusionBehavioral changes were a common sequela of both benign and malignant PBT. Larger scale studies are required to confirm these results. The results suggest the importance of including behavior in brain cancer psychosocial assessments and the need to develop interventions to treat these patients and reduce the burden of care on families.
Behavioral and cognitive changes in patients with primary brain tumor (PBT) are common and may be distressing to patients and their family members. Healthcare professionals report a strong need for information, practical strategies, and training to assist consumers and better address management issues. A literature review by the current project found that 53% of the information resources currently available to consumers and health professionals contained minimal or no information about cognitive/behavioral changes after PBT, and 71% of the resources contained minimal or no information on associated strategies to manage these changes. This project aimed to develop an information resource for patients, carers, and health professionals addressing the behavioral and cognitive sequelae of PBT, including strategies to minimize the disabling impact of such behaviors. In consultation with staff and patient groups, 16 key information topics were identified covering cognitive and communication changes and challenging behaviors including executive impairment, behavioral disturbance, and social/emotional dysfunction. Sixteen fact sheets and 11 additional resource sheets were developed and evaluated according to established consumer communication guidelines. Preliminary data show that these resources have been positively received and well utilized. These sheets are the first of their kind addressing challenging behaviors in the neuro-oncology patient group and are a practical and useful information resource for health professionals working with these patients and their families. The new resource assists in reinforcing interventions provided to individual patients and their relatives who are experiencing difficulties in managing challenging behaviors after PBT.
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