A comparison of pain and health‐related quality of life between two groups of cancer patients with differing average levels of pain

Abstract

A study was performed to describe and compare pain and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) in two groups of cancer patients in palliative care as well as to describe the correlation between pain and HRQOL. ○ Forty-seven patients with mild average pain [Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) < 3] and 28 patients with moderate to severe average pain (VAS > 3) were included. Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36) was used to evaluate HRQOL, pain intensity levels were measured with the VAS on Pain-O-Meter. ○ Compared to patients with mild pain, patients with moderate to severe pain had statistically significant, higher pain intensity for the items 'pain at time of interview', 'worst pain in the past 24 hours' and 'pain interrupting sleep.' They also had the lowest scores of the SF-36 dimensions: physical functioning, role-physical, and bodily pain. Patients with moderate to severe pain had statistically significant, fewer months of survival. There were statistically significant positive correlations between pain items and negative correlation between pain and SF-36 dimensions. ○ The conclusion is that pain has a negative impact on HRQOL, especially on physical health and that pain increases towards the final stages of life. Even if patients have to endure symptoms such as fatigue and anxiety during their short survival time, dealing with pain is an unnecessary burden, which can be prevented

Validation of a Swedish Version of the Cancer Dyspnea Scale

“…Relations between specific components of symptoms have not been discussed in the emerging symptom cluster literature. For example, pain was an independent predictor of QoL in two of our multivariate models, which is consistent with previous findings (Boström et al 2003;Borglin et al 2005). Pain in patients with advanced cancer is a multidimensional concept, comprising both physical and psychological aspects (Cleeland et al 1996), and varies with physical activity.…”

Long-term changes in gut hormones, appetite and food intake 1 year after subtotal gastrectomy with normal body weight

“…The underlying mechanism is unknown, but appetite and satiety controls are mediated by a complicated interplay of neuroendocrine signaling pathways involving a great variety of peptide hormones and neuropeptides, including ghrelin and PYY 3À36 (Romijn et al, 2008) Although appetite-stimulating plasma ghrelin concentrations decrease after gastrectomy, appetite would not have been changed due to compensation of other hormones involved in the control of appetite and food intake. Positive emotions to overcome the cancer in patients with gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy may positively influence the subjective VAS appetite ratings 1 year after surgery (Boström et al, 2003). We reported that compensatory ghrelin production occurred in the remnant stomach after the surgical removal of part of the stomach as well as other tissues or organs such as the bowel, pancreas, kidney and placenta in postoperative day 7 (Jeon et al, 2004).…”

Pharmacological Treatment of Neuropathic Cancer Pain: A Comprehensive Review of the Current Literature

“…[7][8][9]31,32 NP, as part of the neurological disease spectrum, is a common disability and expresses serious medical pathology. Apart from traumatic nerve injury, numerous diseases may be accompanied by NP.…”

“…Similarly to all intractable pains, it has devastating consequences on the overall quality of life; not only it deranges patients' ability to perform daily functions and their ability to manage their disease, but it also amplifies the anxiety and the distress of the affected patient and family. [7][8][9] NP is commonly presented in cancer patients and is considered a well-established entity for more than 20 years. Approximately, 1/3 of cancer patients experience NP, usually mixed with nociceptive components, or, occasionally, as a single, autonomous entity.…”