Perceptions of preparedness, timing of cancer diagnosis, and objective emergency preparedness among gynecological cancer patients in Puerto Rico before and after Hurricane Maria.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the impact of cancer diagnosis status, individual feelings of preparedness, and other covariates on objective emergency preparedness among women diagnosed with gynecological cancers before or after the 2017 Hurricanes Irma and Maria in Puerto Rico. METHODS: This study included 240 women who were interviewed by telephone from 9/2019-11/2020. Objective emergency preparedness was assessed using a list of six items. Subjective emergency preparedness was assessed by asking the women how prepared they felt (well, somewhat, or not at all) to face an emergency. Crude and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the associations (odds ratios [ORs] and 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) between variables of interest and objective preparedness. RESULTS: Before and after the hurricanes, 60% and 66% of women, respectively, were objectively prepared. Before the hurricanes, women reporting feeling well-prepared (vs. not prepared) (OR=9.31, 95%CI:3.96-21.91) and those who were diagnosed before (vs. after) the hurricanes (OR=1.71, 95%CI:0.95-3.09) were more likely to be objectively prepared. After the hurricanes, self-perceived well-preparedness (OR=2.46, 95% CI: 1.10-5.51) was positively associated with emergency preparedness when compared to feeling unprepared. CONCLUSIONS: Perceptions of emergency preparedness and having a cancer diagnosis increased the likelihood of being objectively prepared for an emergency. POLICY SUMMARY: This study demonstrates the need for state, territorial, and federal governments to include emergency preparedness plans for cancer patients in the Comprehensive Cancer Control plans. The study also indicates a need for cancer specific emergency preparedness information to be readily available for patients.

Effect of chronic comorbidities on quality of life of gynecologic cancer patients in Puerto Rico.

Objective: To describe prevalence of chronic diseases and evaluate associations between comorbidities and quality of life in gynecologic cancer patients in Puerto Rico. Methods: A cross-sectional study among 233 women aged ≥21 years with a gynecologic cancer diagnosis. Through telephone interviews, information on comorbidities, quality of life, and other covariates were assessed. Quality of life included six items, assessing physical and mental health. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate magnitude of association between the comorbidities under study (diabetes, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases) and quality-of-life items, through adjusted prevalence odds ratio (aPOR; 95% confidence interval [CI]). Results: Most women (90.1%) reported one or more comorbidities in addition to their cancer diagnosis; cardiovascular diseases (63.1%) were more common than autoimmune diseases (37.3%) and diabetes (33.9%). Between 30% and 40% of the sample indicated dysfunctions in their general health (39.5%) and frequent physical (33.9%) and mental distress (31.8%). Adjusting for age and gross family income, women with autoimmune diseases presented higher prevalence of frequent limitations for daily activities (aPOR 2.00; 95% CI 1.05-3.81), poor general health (aPOR 3.52; 95% CI 1.90-6.49), frequent mental distress (aPOR 2.19; 95% CI 1.19-4.03), and dissatisfaction with life (aPOR 4.86; 95% CI 1.82-12.95) compared to those who did not report autoimmune diseases. No associations with cardiovascular diseases and diabetes were observed. Conclusions: Quality-of-life dysfunctions were highly prevalent in this population of gynecologic cancer patients. Suffering from autoimmune comorbidities significantly exacerbated those dysfunctions.

Effect of chronic comorbidities on quality of life of gynecologic cancer patients in Puerto Rico

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. To describe prevalence of chronic diseases and evaluate associations between comorbidities and quality of life in gynecologic cancer patients in Puerto Rico. Methods. A cross-sectional study among 233 women aged ≥21 years with a gynecologic cancer diagnosis. Through telephone interviews, information on comorbidities, quality of life, and other covariates were assessed. Quality of life included six items, assessing physical and mental health. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate magnitude of association between the comorbidities under study (diabetes, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases) and quality-of-life items, through adjusted prevalence odds ratio (aPOR; 95% confidence interval [CI]). Results. Most women (90.1%) reported one or more comorbidities in addition to their cancer diagnosis; cardiovascular diseases (63.1%) were more common than autoimmune diseases (37.3%) and diabetes (33.9%). Between 30% and 40% of the sample indicated dysfunctions in their general health (39.5%) and frequent physical (33.9%) and mental distress (31.8%). Adjusting for age and gross family income, women with autoimmune diseases presented higher prevalence of frequent limitations for daily activities (aPOR 2.00; 95% CI 1.05–3.81), poor general health (aPOR 3.52; 95% CI 1.90–6.49), frequent mental distress (aPOR 2.19; 95% CI 1.19–4.03), and dissatisfaction with life (aPOR 4.86; 95% CI 1.82–12.95) compared to those who did not report autoimmune diseases. No associations with cardiovascular diseases and diabetes were observed. Conclusions. Quality-of-life dysfunctions were highly prevalent in this population of gynecologic cancer patients. Suffering from autoimmune comorbidities significantly exacerbated those dysfunctions.

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Describir la prevalencia de enfermedades crónicas y evaluar la asociación entre varias comorbilidades y la calidad de vida de pacientes con cáncer ginecológico en Puerto Rico. Métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal con 233 mujeres de 21 años o más con diagnóstico de cáncer ginecológico. Mediante entrevistas telefónicas se evaluó la información sobre comorbilidades, calidad de vida y otras covariantes; para la calidad de vida, se evaluaron seis elementos relativos a la salud física y mental. Se emplearon modelos de regresión logística con múltiples variables para estimar la magnitud de la asociación entre las comorbilidades objeto de estudio (la diabetes, las enfermedades cardiovasculares y las enfermedades autoinmunitarias) y los elementos relativos a la calidad de vida, mediante una razón de posibilidades de prevalencia ajustada (RPPa; intervalo de confianza [IC] de 95 %). Resultados. La mayoría de las mujeres (90,1 %) notificaron una o más comorbilidades además del diagnóstico de cáncer; las enfermedades cardiovasculares (63,1 %) fueron más comunes que las enfermedades autoinmunitarias (37,3 %) y la diabetes (33,9 %). Entre 30 % y 40 % de la muestra refirió disfunciones generales de salud (39,5 %) y malestar físico (33,9 %) y mental (31,8 %) frecuente. Luego de ajustar por edad e ingresos brutos familiares, las mujeres con enfermedades autoinmunitarias presentaron una mayor prevalencia de limitaciones frecuentes en las actividades cotidianas (RPPa 2,00; IC de 95 % 1,05-3,81), mala salud general (RPPa 3,52; IC de 95 % 1,90-6,49), angustia frecuente (RPPa 2,19; IC de 95 % 1,19-4,03) e insatisfacción vital (RPPa 4,86; IC de 95 % 1,82-12,95), en comparación con las mujeres que no refirieron ninguna enfermedad autoinmunitaria. No se observó ninguna asociación con enfermedades cardiovasculares o la diabetes. Conclusiones. Las disfunciones relativas a la calidad de vida tuvieron una alta prevalencia en esta población de pacientes con cáncer ginecológico. Sufrir comorbilidades autoinmunitarias agravó significativamente estas disfunciones.

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Descrever a prevalência de doenças crônicas e avaliar as associações entre comorbidades e qualidade de vida em pacientes com câncer ginecológico em Porto Rico. Métodos. Estudo transversal de 233 mulheres com idade ≥21 anos, com diagnóstico de câncer ginecológico. Mediante entrevistas telefônicas, foram avaliadas informações sobre comorbidades, qualidade de vida e outras covariáveis. A avaliação da qualidade de vida incluiu seis itens, abrangendo saúde física e mental. Foram utilizados modelos de regressão logística multivariada para estimar a magnitude da associação entre as comorbidades avaliadas (diabetes, doenças cardiovasculares e autoimunes) e os itens de qualidade de vida, por meio da razão de chances de prevalência ajustada (aPOR) com intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC 95%). Resultados. A maioria das mulheres (90,1%) relatou uma ou mais comorbidades além de seu diagnóstico de câncer; as doenças cardiovasculares (63,1%) foram mais comuns que as doenças autoimunes (37,3%) e diabetes (33,9%). Entre 30% e 40% das entrevistadas relataram problemas de saúde geral (39,5%) e frequentes problemas físicos (33,9%) e mentais (31,8%). Após ajuste para idade e renda familiar bruta, as mulheres com doenças autoimunes apresentaram maior prevalência de limitação frequente das atividades da vida diária (aPOR 2,00; IC 95% 1,05-3,81), saúde geral precária (aPOR 3,52; IC 95% 1,90-6,49), angústia mental frequente (aPOR 2,19; IC 95% 1,19-4,03) e insatisfação com a vida (aPOR 4,86; IC 95% 1,82-12,95), em comparação àquelas que não relataram doenças autoimunes. Não foram observadas associações com doenças cardiovasculares ou diabetes. Conclusões. Foi constatada uma prevalência elevada de disfunções de qualidade de vida nesta população de pacientes com câncer ginecológico. Sofrer de comorbidades autoimunes exacerbou significativamente essas disfunções.

Effect of chronic comorbidities on quality of life of gynecologic cancer patients in Puerto Rico / Efecto de las comorbilidades crónicas sobre la calidad de vida de pacientes con cáncer ginecológico en Puerto Rico / Efeito das comorbidades crônicas na qualidade de vida de pacientes com câncer ginecológico em Porto Rico

ABSTRACT Objective. To describe prevalence of chronic diseases and evaluate associations between comorbidities and quality of life in gynecologic cancer patients in Puerto Rico. Methods. A cross-sectional study among 233 women aged ≥21 years with a gynecologic cancer diagnosis. Through telephone interviews, information on comorbidities, quality of life, and other covariates were assessed. Quality of life included six items, assessing physical and mental health. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate magnitude of association between the comorbidities under study (diabetes, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases) and quality-of-life items, through adjusted prevalence odds ratio (aPOR; 95% confidence interval [CI]). Results. Most women (90.1%) reported one or more comorbidities in addition to their cancer diagnosis; cardiovascular diseases (63.1%) were more common than autoimmune diseases (37.3%) and diabetes (33.9%). Between 30% and 40% of the sample indicated dysfunctions in their general health (39.5%) and frequent physical (33.9%) and mental distress (31.8%). Adjusting for age and gross family income, women with autoimmune diseases presented higher prevalence of frequent limitations for daily activities (aPOR 2.00; 95% CI 1.05-3.81), poor general health (aPOR 3.52; 95% CI 1.90-6.49), frequent mental distress (aPOR 2.19; 95% CI 1.19-4.03), and dissatisfaction with life (aPOR 4.86; 95% CI 1.82-12.95) compared to those who did not report autoimmune diseases. No associations with cardiovascular diseases and diabetes were observed. Conclusions. Quality-of-life dysfunctions were highly prevalent in this population of gynecologic cancer patients. Suffering from autoimmune comorbidities significantly exacerbated those dysfunctions.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Describir la prevalencia de enfermedades crónicas y evaluar la asociación entre varias comorbilidades y la calidad de vida de pacientes con cáncer ginecológico en Puerto Rico. Métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal con 233 mujeres de 21 años o más con diagnóstico de cáncer ginecológico. Mediante entrevistas telefónicas se evaluó la información sobre comorbilidades, calidad de vida y otras covariantes; para la calidad de vida, se evaluaron seis elementos relativos a la salud física y mental. Se emplearon modelos de regresión logística con múltiples variables para estimar la magnitud de la asociación entre las comorbilidades objeto de estudio (la diabetes, las enfermedades cardiovasculares y las enfermedades autoinmunitarias) y los elementos relativos a la calidad de vida, mediante una razón de posibilidades de prevalencia ajustada (RPPa; intervalo de confianza [IC] de 95 %). Resultados. La mayoría de las mujeres (90,1 %) notificaron una o más comorbilidades además del diagnóstico de cáncer; las enfermedades cardiovasculares (63,1 %) fueron más comunes que las enfermedades autoinmunitarias (37,3 %) y la diabetes (33,9 %). Entre 30 % y 40 % de la muestra refirió disfunciones generales de salud (39,5 %) y malestar físico (33,9 %) y mental (31,8 %) frecuente. Luego de ajustar por edad e ingresos brutos familiares, las mujeres con enfermedades autoinmunitarias presentaron una mayor prevalencia de limitaciones frecuentes en las actividades cotidianas (RPPa 2,00; IC de 95 % 1,05-3,81), mala salud general (RPPa 3,52; IC de 95 % 1,90-6,49), angustia frecuente (RPPa 2,19; IC de 95 % 1,19-4,03) e insatisfacción vital (RPPa 4,86; IC de 95 % 1,82-12,95), en comparación con las mujeres que no refirieron ninguna enfermedad autoinmunitaria. No se observó ninguna asociación con enfermedades cardiovasculares o la diabetes. Conclusiones. Las disfunciones relativas a la calidad de vida tuvieron una alta prevalencia en esta población de pacientes con cáncer ginecológico. Sufrir comorbilidades autoinmunitarias agravó significativamente estas disfunciones.

RESUMO Objetivo. Descrever a prevalência de doenças crônicas e avaliar as associações entre comorbidades e qualidade de vida em pacientes com câncer ginecológico em Porto Rico. Métodos. Estudo transversal de 233 mulheres com idade ≥21 anos, com diagnóstico de câncer ginecológico. Mediante entrevistas telefônicas, foram avaliadas informações sobre comorbidades, qualidade de vida e outras covariáveis. A avaliação da qualidade de vida incluiu seis itens, abrangendo saúde física e mental. Foram utilizados modelos de regressão logística multivariada para estimar a magnitude da associação entre as comorbidades avaliadas (diabetes, doenças cardiovasculares e autoimunes) e os itens de qualidade de vida, por meio da razão de chances de prevalência ajustada (aPOR) com intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC 95%). Resultados. A maioria das mulheres (90,1%) relatou uma ou mais comorbidades além de seu diagnóstico de câncer; as doenças cardiovasculares (63,1%) foram mais comuns que as doenças autoimunes (37,3%) e diabetes (33,9%). Entre 30% e 40% das entrevistadas relataram problemas de saúde geral (39,5%) e frequentes problemas físicos (33,9%) e mentais (31,8%). Após ajuste para idade e renda familiar bruta, as mulheres com doenças autoimunes apresentaram maior prevalência de limitação frequente das atividades da vida diária (aPOR 2,00; IC 95% 1,05-3,81), saúde geral precária (aPOR 3,52; IC 95% 1,90-6,49), angústia mental frequente (aPOR 2,19; IC 95% 1,19-4,03) e insatisfação com a vida (aPOR 4,86; IC 95% 1,82-12,95), em comparação àquelas que não relataram doenças autoimunes. Não foram observadas associações com doenças cardiovasculares ou diabetes. Conclusões. Foi constatada uma prevalência elevada de disfunções de qualidade de vida nesta população de pacientes com câncer ginecológico. Sofrer de comorbidades autoimunes exacerbou significativamente essas disfunções.

Knowledge among Puerto Rican Women about Risk of Infertility Associated with Overweight and Obesity.

OBJECTIVE: Our study sought to evaluate how aware the women attending gynecology clinics at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus (UPRMSC) were of the association between infertility and excess body weight (i.e., overweight and obesity). METHODS: Women 21 years old and older attending gynecology clinics at UPR-MSC were invited to participate in this study (n = 234). A self-administered survey was provided to all the women. Logistic regression models were performed to determine associations. RESULTS: About 56.8% of the women were found to be aware of the effects of obesity on fertility; their main source of medical information was their primary doctor. The odds (adjusted for age and annual income) of being aware of the association between obesity and infertility were about 2.41 (95% CI: 1.07-5.42) times higher in women with a BMI greater than or equal to 25 kg/m2 than they were in those with a BMI of less than 25 kg/m2. An interaction by age group (adjusted for BMI) was found for the association between annual income and knowledge of the obesity-infertility association (OR≥40 years old: 3.51, 95% CI: 1.41-8.72; OR<40 years old: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.15-2.13). CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that there is a lack of knowledge regarding the effects of obesity on fertility and identifies characteristics associated with this knowledge. The contents of health-care-provider counseling and the barriers affecting communication between patients and health care providers could be assessed in further studies.

Ovarian cancer clinical trial endpoints: Society of Gynecologic Oncology white paper.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of multiple clinical endpoints in the unique setting of ovarian cancer. METHODS: A clinical trial workgroup was established by the Society of Gynecologic Oncology to develop a consensus statement via multiple conference calls, meetings and white paper drafts. RESULTS: Clinical trial endpoints have profound effects on late phase clinical trial design, result interpretation, drug development, and regulatory approval of therapeutics. Selection of the optimal clinical trial endpoint is particularly provocative in ovarian cancer where long overall survival (OS) is observed. The lack of new regulatory approvals and the lack of harmony between regulatory bodies globally for ovarian cancer therapeutics are of concern. The advantages and disadvantages of the numerous endpoints available are herein discussed within the unique context of ovarian cancer where both crossover and post-progression therapies potentially uncouple surrogacy between progression-free survival (PFS) and OS, the two most widely supported and utilized endpoints. The roles of patient reported outcomes (PRO) and health related quality of life (HRQoL) are discussed, but even these widely supported parameters are affected by the unique characteristics of ovarian cancer where a significant percentage of patients may be asymptomatic. Original data regarding the endpoint preferences of ovarian cancer advocates is presented. CONCLUSIONS: Endpoint selection in ovarian cancer clinical trials should reflect the impact on disease burden and unique characteristics of the treatment cohort while reflecting true patient benefit. Both OS and PFS have led to regulatory approvals and are clinically important. OS remains the most objective and accepted endpoint because it is least vulnerable to bias; however, the feasibility of OS in ovarian cancer is compromised by the requirement for large trial size, prolonged time-line for final analysis, and potential for unintended loss of treatment effect from active post-progression therapies. A large magnitude of effect in PFS improvement should establish benefit, and further communication with regulatory authorities to clarify acceptable endpoints should be undertaken.

Risk factors for abnormal cervical cytology in pregnant women attending the high-risk obstetrics clinic at the University Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

OBJECTIVE: Approximately 30% of women diagnosed with cervical cancer are in their childbearing years, and 5-8% of pregnant women seeking prenatal care are found to have an abnormal Papanicolaou smear. Prenatal visits are an excellent opportunity for cervical cytology testing and patient education because of close follow-up. The objective of this study is to examine the overall prevalence of cervical dysplasia and associated risk factors in pregnant women aged 15 to 30 years attending the high-risk obstetrics clinics at the University Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico between December 2005 and May 2007. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of 237 prenatal charts from patients attending the high-risk obstetrics clinics at the University Hospital in San Juan. The variables studied were age, place of birth, gestational age at first visit, gravidity, age at first coitus, number of sexual partners, tobacco use, Papanicolaou smear results, and cervical gonorrhea and Chlamydia test results. The relationship between cervical cytology results and the aforementioned variables was statistically assessed. RESULTS: Abnormal cervical cytology was found in 16 (6.8%) of the patients. Of these, 75% were atypical squamous cells of unknown significance (ASCUS), 19% low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LGSIL), and 6% high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HGSIL). Gravidity > 3 was observed in 16.5% of the patients, and 48.7% were in their second trimester of gestation. Their first coitus was at age 17 or earlier (66.5%), and 78% had between 1 and 3 sexual partners. Having a positive Chlamydia test was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the risk of having an abnormal cervical cytology. Other variables such as gravidity, age at first coitus, number of sexual partners, and tobacco use were not statistically associated with an abnormal cervical cytology test. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of cervical dysplasia among pregnant women who attend the high-risk obstetrics clinic at the University Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico is similar to what has been reported elsewhere. Among all variables studied, only a positive Chlamydia test was found to be associated with an abnormal cervical cytology test. Given the high number of women seeking prenatal care and the close follow-up provided during this period, prenatal care is an excellent opportunity for cervical cytology testing and patient education.

Comparison of the endocervical brush and the endocervical curettage for the evaluation of the endocervical canal

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the efficacy in obtaining an adequate endocervical sampling using the endocervical brush and the endocervical curettage. METHODS: Analysis of the cytology and histology of samples obtained from patients referred to the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine Tertiary Care Center Anaplasia Clinics for colposcopy due to an abnormal Pap smear having atypical cells or higher as classified according to the Bethesda System. All patients underwent evaluation of the endocervical canal with an endocervical brush and an endocervical curettage. RESULTS: Fifty three of fifty-eight patients had correlating endocervical brush Papanicolaou smear and endocervical curettage. Only five patients presented discrepancies. All endocervical brush samples had sufficient tissue for diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The endocervical curettage is operator dependent, is difficult to perform in patients with a stenotic cervical os or in menopausal patients. The endocervical brush is easier to use, malleable and has a lower processing cost. In view of these findings evaluation of the endocervix can be safely performed with the use of an endocervical brush. When used properly, the endocervical brush has a sensitivity of 90 per cent , a specificity of 92.1 per cent and a positive predictive value of 87.5 per cent