The effectiveness of N-Acetylcysteine in preventing contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing contrast-enhanced computed tomography: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is reported to have potential for preventing of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients undergoing coronary angiography. However, the effectiveness of NAC in preventing CIN in patients undergoing contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) is still controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis of relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to further examine this issue. METHODS: RCTs were identified by computerized searching in PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Cochrane databases. Two reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality of each study. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of NAC in preventing CIN in patients undergoing CT. The primary outcome was the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy, and the requirement for dialysis. The secondary outcome was the change of serum creatinine. RESULTS: Six randomized controlled trials were identified with a total of 496 patients meeting the criteria for this study. Prophylactic administration of NAC in patients with serum creatinine above 1.2 mg/dL undergoing contrast-enhanced CT, along with hydration, reduced the risk of CIN (relative risk 0.20; 95 % confidence interval: 0.07-0.57). Requirement for dialysis was not significantly different between the NAC group and the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This review provides evidence of the efficacy of NAC in preventing the incidence of CIN and recommends that NAC be more widely used in high-risk patients undergoing contrast-enhanced CT. On the basis of the evidence reviewed, further research involving large RCTs may be warranted.

Changes in quality of life among newly diagnosed breast cancer patients in Taiwan.

AIM: To examine changes in quality of life among patients with breast cancer and factors related to it, during the first three months after diagnosis. BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have examined quality of life among cancer survivors or among patients with cancer after aggressive treatment; such research has demonstrated that quality of life in the third month after surgery can significantly predict quality of life in the long run. In contrast, changes in quality of life causes among patients during the acute treatment phase have not been well studied. DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal study. METHODS: Newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer were recruited during 2008-2009. Sixty-one cases completed the four data collections on the day before operation and one, two and three months after surgery. Data were collected using the Functional Living Index-Cancer, Symptom Distress Scale, the Self-Efficacy Scale and a 0-10 Anxiety Numeric Rating Scale. Generalized Estimating Equations were applied for data analysis. RESULTS: There were significant changes in quality of life over the three months following surgery, and the worst quality of life was observed in the first month after surgery. Less advanced stages of cancer, lower anxiety, less symptom distress and higher perceived self-efficacy in the preoperative interview could significantly predict which patients experienced more positive quality of life trends. Fatigue, limited shoulder function and perceived poor appearance were the most significant factors predicting changes of quality of life. CONCLUSION: Preoperative physical and psychological factors, as well as sense of self-efficacy for managing the cancer, are important factors for predicting changes in patients' quality of life. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Healthcare providers should be alert to factors contributing to changes of quality of life among patients receiving chemotherapy. Interventions based on these results should be developed and their effectiveness tested for their impact on breast cancer patients' quality of life. Clinical interventions based on these results should be developed to improve breast cancer patients' quality of life.

Arm Exercise Promotion Scale: instrument validation.

AIM: This paper is a report of psychometric testing of the Arm Exercise Promotion Scale. BACKGROUND: Patients with breast cancer having mastectomy are taught postoperative arm exercises during hospitalization; however, clinical observations suggest that patients infrequently practise them. It is important to develop an instrument that can be easily applied to evaluate women's motivation for arm exercises. METHOD: An instrument validation design with a cross-sectional survey was conducted during 2008-09. The previously developed 15-item Likert-type Arm Exercise Promotion Scale was further tested for test-retest reliability, internal consistency reliability, theoretically supported construct validity, and concurrent validity. A total of 94 patients with breast cancer were recruited to the study. RESULTS: The Arm Exercise Promotion Scale has satisfactory internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha 0.88) and a test-retest reliability of 0.90. Three theoretically supported factors were abstracted by principal component analysis: perceived benefits, learning support and situational support. These factors were inter-correlated and statistically significantly correlated with arm exercise behaviour, indicating concurrent and construct validity. CONCLUSION: There is strong evidence to further support the Arm Exercise Promotion Scale as a valid instrument in assessing factors which promote arm exercises with patients with breast cancer. Future longitudinal clinical studies using this scale could add knowledge about the experiences of carrying out arm exercises in patients with breast cancer across time.