A short form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) was previously developed. It was found to correlate highly with and demonstrate differences due to treatment in a manner similar to the long form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire (LF-MPQ). The LF-MPQ was previously found to be a valid measurement of pain in the cancer population. The present study demonstrated that the sensory, affective, and total scores of the SF-MPQ correlated highly with the LF-MPQ on three administrations, each 3-4 wk apart in 24 patients with chronic pain due to cancer. Both the long and short total scores correlated highly with the visual analogue scale (VAS) and present pain intensity (PPI) scale. The SF-MPQ demonstrated changes over time in a manner similar to the LF-MPQ in this patient group. These observations support the value of the SF-MPQ as a tool for studying interventions in patients with chronic pain due to cancer.
The clinically and histologically observed prevention of the progression of adjuvant arthritis after LD-RT given during the peak of the acute inflammatory response and the reduction of cartilage and bone destruction in the chronic phase appears to be related to the modulation of iNOS activity by low X-ray doses.
Anticipatory nausea and vomiting (ANV) are learned responses to chemotherapy that develop in up to 25% of patients by the fourth treatment cycle. Post-treatment nausea and emesis must occur before development of ANV can take place. Certain patient characteristics and other responses to chemotherapy can also be used to predict their occurrence. Once they develop, ANV cannot be controlled by pharmacologic means including use of new 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. By contrast, behavioral therapies involving relaxation, most notably systematic desensitization, can be used to effectively treat ANV. Clinic personnel including oncologists and oncology nurses as well as behavioral psychologists can effectively administer systematic desensitization to chemotherapy patients.
This cross-sectional study compared the prevalence and intensity of needs expressed by cancer patients at the time of first recurrence (n=75) with those of patients at the time of disease progression (n=75). On a 72-item Likert-type scale participants rated from “none” to “very much” the severity of physical symptoms; emotional, psychological, and social problems; and difficulties with activities of daily living. The progressive disease group reported more problems than the first recurrence group in 11 of 24 (47%, p<0.05) symptom-related questions. The progressive disease group also expressed greater needs in 19% of the function-related questions. There were no differences in reported psychological problems, responses to recurrence, or greatest concern between the two groups. These results support the need for palliative care throughout the entire course of illness.
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