ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: A questionnaire-based prospective study was conducted to evaluate the current use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in a hemato-oncological outpatient clinic. METHODS: A multiple-choice questionnaire was designed to assess the use of CAM in a hemato-oncological outpatient clinic. It consisted of questions on sociodemographic and general patient data, and of different kind of questions concerning the use of CAM, including disclosure rates to oncologists and general physicians. The data was analyzed with SAS and a p-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: 46 out of 251 patients (18%) indicated to use CAM. 62 out of all patients (25%) discussed the topic with their general physician or oncologist. Praying or nutritional supplements were the most often used type of CAM. 95 of all participating patients found that the use of CAM could be helpful. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our monocentric study in an outpatient setting do not support the relatively high percentage of CAM users described in the current literature. Nevertheless, CAM needs to be defined more clearly, in order to increase the patients' awareness of CAM.
Subject(s)
Ambulatory Care/statistics & numerical data , Complementary Therapies/statistics & numerical data , Neoplasms/epidemiology , Neoplasms/therapy , Patient Preference/statistics & numerical data , Patient Reported Outcome Measures , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Germany/epidemiology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Prospective Studies , Utilization ReviewABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Hand-foot syndrome (HFS) is a frequently occurring adverse event associated with anticancer drugs. This study compares a newly introduced ointment containing several antioxidants and exhibiting high radical protection factor, which has been available on the German market since 2011, with urea cream for prevention of HFS in patients treated with capecitabine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with GI tumors or breast cancer treated with capecitabine were included in this randomized phase III study. The primary end point was prevention of HFS of any grade within 6 weeks of treatment as indicated by a standardized patient diary. The study had 80% power to show a 20% reduction of the incidence of HFS with the new ointment. Secondary end points included time to development of HFS greater than grade 1, evaluation of capecitabine dose intensity, and quality of life analyses. RESULTS: A total of 152 patients were evaluable. In total, 47 of 152 patients experienced HFS (30.9%), 39.5% with the new ointment and 22.4% in the urea arm (stratified odds ratio, 2.37; P = .02). Time to HFS greater than grade 1 was comparable, but time to any-grade HFS was significantly longer in the urea group (P = .03). Capecitabine dose intensity, time under study, and percentage of days with correct administration of study medication were identical, as were adverse events except for HFS. Skin-related quality of life was significantly worse in the group treated with the new ointment at the end of study treatment. CONCLUSION: This trial demonstrated that 10% urea cream was superior to the new ointment at preventing HFS over the first 6 weeks of treatment with capecitabine.
Subject(s)
Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic/adverse effects , Antioxidants/administration & dosage , Deoxycytidine/analogs & derivatives , Fluorouracil/analogs & derivatives , Hand-Foot Syndrome/prevention & control , Keratolytic Agents/administration & dosage , Primary Prevention/methods , Quality of Life , Urea/administration & dosage , Administration, Cutaneous , Adult , Aged , Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic/administration & dosage , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Capecitabine , Deoxycytidine/administration & dosage , Deoxycytidine/adverse effects , Drug Administration Schedule , Female , Fluorouracil/administration & dosage , Fluorouracil/adverse effects , Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/drug therapy , Germany , Hand-Foot Syndrome/etiology , Hand-Foot Syndrome/pathology , Humans , Incidence , Male , Middle Aged , Ointments , Severity of Illness Index , Skin Cream , Surveys and Questionnaires , Time Factors , Treatment FailureABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Patient-reported outcomes, such as quality of life (QoL) assessment, are becoming more important as endpoint in clinical trials and for decision making regarding new anticancer product approvals. Nevertheless, numerous obstacles exist regarding the implementation of QoL assessment in the daily practice of medical oncologists. Regular, computerized or internet home-based QoL assessments could be a step forward. METHODS: Using a 15-item paper questionnaire, we conducted a survey among 1580 cancer patients regarding their willingness to use internet QoL assessment, and collected personal data and information about current disease and performance status. RESULTS: Younger patients (i.e. ≤65 years) significantly more often had internet access (78% versus 36%; χ(2) test, p < 0.001). Moreover, the availability of internet access correlated with higher education levels. 55% of all polled patients are willing to use an internet-based QoL assessment tool, regardless of the type of internet access, whereas almost two-thirds (n = 600; 65%) of patients with their own internet access would be willing to use it for providing statements about QoL. Of these, especially younger patients in good health status with higher education degrees indicated their willingness to use such tools. CONCLUSION: These data may serve as a basis for identifying patient groups willing to participate in pilot projects to evaluate the implementation of internet-based regular assessment of QoL in cancer.
