receiving an oral treatment whereas only 33.5% would agree if the treatment was endovenous. In general, younger patients (<50 years old) feel more comfortable with virtual visits than older ones (>70 y) (77.4% vs 62%, p¼0.07). Only 20% of patients older than 50 believe that they can handle new technologies as opposed to 58.5% of younger ones (p¼0.001). 60.4% of the younger patients would like to have different technological tools to contact their oncologist whereas most patients (47.6%) older than 70 prefer only phone calls (p¼0.001). Regardless of the type of visit (treatment or follow-up) patients felt comfortable with virtual attendance (58.7% and 65.6% respectively, p¼0.2).Conclusions: As a whole, patients surveyed believed that telehealth could have a role following the COVID-19 pandemic. However, telemedicine is not applicable in all cases. Visits to older patients, to inform about radiological results and to patients recieving treatment should be assessed case by case.
Objective: Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a lymphoid B cells neoplasm with a diffuse pattern and high proliferation rate. Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone (CHOP) was considered effective as other complicated regimens with more toxicity profile. Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody directed against CD20 positive B cell. It has good activity therapeutically in patients of DLBCL. It increases response rates and survivals when added to CHOP chemotherapy. Although R-CHOP is more effective but due to high cost of Rituximab it is usually not incorporated with chemotherapy in most of our patients and CHOP is still used extensively. Due to heterogeneity of disease and difference in ethnicity, there may be difference in outcomes of two regimens. This study will help us in tailoring our management plan that will result in better outcome of patients. Methods: 70 patients aged between 20-65 years having DLBCL were taken in this study. We rando-mized patients by lottery method into two groups. Group I received CHOP with dose of Cyclophosphamide 750mg/m2, Doxorubicin 50mg/m2, Vincristine 1.4 mg/m2 and prednisolone 40mg/m2.Chemotherapy was given on Day-1 while prednisolone was given for 5 days from Day-1 of chemotherapy. Group II received R- CHOP which includes same chemotherapy with same dosage. Rituximab was included in Group II with dose of Rituximab 375 mg /m2. Each cycle was given at three weeks interval. Response in terms of CR (Complete Response), PR (Partial Response), SD (Stable Disease) or PD (Progressive Disease) was evaluated as per leukemia network after 4 cycles of chemotherapy. The quantitative variables were calculated by taking mean and standard deviation. The response was assessed in percentage and frequencies and compared by applying chi square test. Results: Group I had 37.1% while Group II had 68.6% complete response with p value of 0.019. Partial response was 48.6% in Group I while 20.0% in Group II. 14.3% in Group I and 8.6% in Group II either had stable disease or progressive disease. Conclusions: R-CHOP has superior response rates as compared to CHOP, therefore, whenever possible Rituximab should be added as target therapy in chemotherapy. Key Words: Diffuse large B cell lymphoma, CHOP, R- CHOP How to Cite: Lodhi F.R, Zafar A, Khokhar M.A, Goraya AW, Ashraf S, Yaqub S. Comparison of R-CHOP with CHOP in patients of diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Esculapio.2020;16(04):79-82.
Objectives: This study is done to determine knowledge and attitude of cancer patients towards COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study was conducted at Oncology Department, Mayo Hospital Lahore during August-October 2020. A questionnaire was used to determine knowledge and attitude of cancer patients towards COVID-19 pandemic. Data was analyzed using Spss version.23. Descriptive variables like gender, marital status, residence and disease characteristics were reported as means and frequencies. Intergroup analysis was done using Chi square test with p<0.05 taken as significant. Results: Of 269 enrolled patients, majority had advanced/metastatic disease (82.4%) and were being treated on outdoor basis (71.6%). Almost all (99.6%) were aware of COVID, electronic/print media being commonest source of information (62.7%). Though having different views, 81.5% considered it a natural calamity. During first wave,22.4% had delayed their investigations while 34.7% faced treatment interruptions with average duration of delay being 55±27 days. Traveling difficulties due to lock down was common reason of delay (54.8%). During this period 62.4% either noted worsening of symptoms or new symptoms. Despite all chaos, 89.9% selected for treatment continuation if provided with a chance and appropriate facilities. Correlation of delay in therapy with high level of education (p=0.013) and perception about COVID-19 a natural calamity (p=0.041) was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Patients' perspective is important and should be taken into account in special circumstances like COVID. It will help in future in making efficient management planning of disease during unusual situations. Key Words: COVID-19, cancer patients, Knowledge How to cite: Yaqub S., Jamil Z., Butt. B.N., Zafar A., Lodhi R.F., Khokhar A.M. Knowledge and attitude of cancer patients towards COVID-19 pandemic. Esculapio 2021;17(01):26-29
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