ObjectivePsychological distress is common in patients with cancer. We need a rapid means of screening for and identifying depression and anxiety in patients with cancer. The present study evaluates the potential of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) scoring as a brief screening tool to assess psychological distress in routine cancer care. The ECOG PS is widely used by oncologists and the WHO, as a standardised measure to assess general well-being in patients with cancer and quality of life in cancer trials. We examine the discrepancy between patient-rated and oncologist-rated PS scores on the ECOG in a comparative assessment against the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).Methods and designThis is a prospective evaluation of approximately 500 ambulatory adult cancer patients from a large academic medical centre. Participants will be asked to assess their own ECOG PS on a scale of 0–4, which will be compared to ECOG PS as rated by their oncologists. Higher ECOG PS scores indicate poorer daily functioning. Both patient-rated and oncologist-rated ECOG PS and their absolute differences will be tested for predictive and concurrent validity against the HADS. A HADS cut-off ≥15 will be used. Ethics approval for this study has been secured from the institutional ethics board. Outcomes are re-evaluated at 4-week to 6-week and 1-year follow-up.ConclusionThis study holds practical significance for rapid screening of psychological distress in the cancer clinic with the use of the ECOG PS scoring. Given the high prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients with cancer, screening is important to increase its recognition, which will, in turn, help to direct referrals and deliver appropriate intervention. This study also generates greater insight into the association between psychosomatic complaints and psychological distress.Trial registration numberMEC 896.52.
Tualang honey is obtained from large honeycombs produced by Asian bees (Apis dorsata) in gigantic Tualang trees. It has been used traditionally by local communities to treat wounds. However, unlike manuka honey its medicinal uses are not well researched. An open, prospective study into the efficacy of wound healing in full thickness wounds in rats, was designed to compare two honey impregnated dressings with silver-impregnated hydrofibre dressings. A full-thickness wound was created on the dorsum of Sprague-Dawley rats (n=45).Tualang honey impregnated paraffin tulle (P-honey) and tualang honey impregnated hydrofibre dressings (H-honey) were compared with silver-containing hydrofibre dressing (positive control; H-Ag). The wounds were inspected on days 4, 7, 14, 21 and 28. The dressings and wounds were assessed for adherence, ease of removal, fluid accumulation, dryness of skin and exudates, rate of epithelization, healing and wound contraction. Three rats treated with each dressing were sacrificed on the days that wounds were inspected. The wounds and scars were histologically analysed for inflammatory parameters. Tualang honey impregnated dressings were comparable to the commercially available silver impregnated hydrofibre dressing in terms of adherence, ease of removal, fluid accumulation, dryness of surrounding skin and exudates; p > 0.05 for non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis tests and post hoc corrections with a Mann-Whitney test. The rates of wound healing, wound contracture and subsequent histological analysis of inflammatory reaction by each dressing were also comparable. Tualang honey impregnated dressings were as effective as silver impregnated hydrofibre dressings in terms of dressing properties, promotion of wound healing and inflammatory reaction.
Infection is a relatively rare but devastating complication of intracardiac device implantation. Burkholderia pseudomallei is the organism which causes melioidosis, an endemic and lethal infection in the tropics. We describe a case of pacemaker infection secondary to Burkholderia pseudomallei, which was treated by explantation of the device and appropriate antimicrobial therapy.
Introduction: Qur’anic verses recitations to ill patients are practiced by many Muslims as a form of healing and worship. The effectiveness has been observed in many medical institutions; however, it has never been objectively measured and documented. This pilot study was conducted to construct a methodological approach to evaluate the therapeutic effects of Yasiin recitation on the haemodynamics of critically ill patients. Methods: Ventilated Muslim patients in coronary care unit of a teaching hospital were evaluated. Yasiin was recited twice; by one of the researchers and then by the patients’ relatives. Mean arterial blood pressure, pulse rate, oxygen saturation level and electrocardiographic changes, were observed. The difference of the parameters before and during recitation was analysed. Results: Five patients fulfilling the selection criteria were selected; two acute myocardial infarctions, two congestive cardiac failures, and a third-degree atrioventricular block. Based on a non-parametric two-related-sample test, the haemodynamic parameters were not significantly affected by Yaasiin recitation. At the end of the study, two of the patients passed away, one patient was extubated and survived. Two patients were still on ventilators when the study had been completed. Limitations in the study were observed and highlighted in explaining the equivocal results. Conclusions: The effect of Yasiin recitation on heamodynamics of patients was not proven in this study. Further refinements might be needed based upon the observation on limitations encountered. It is hoped that this humble effort would pave the way for further studies to explore this field.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.