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Introduction: Chemotherapeutic agents have the potential to induce neurotoxicity, resulting in a range of symptoms, including mild paresthesia, neuropathic pain, pronounced ataxia, and significant impairment. Taxane-induced neuropathy (TIN) is a prevalent adverse effect and a significant constraint of Taxane-based chemotherapy protocols in treating breast cancer. In this current study, we aim to compare the effects of Venlafaxine and Duloxetine in taxane-induced Neuropathy as well as the quality of life, Depression, and Anxiety in Breast cancer Patients. Methods: The present study investigated breast cancer patients who experienced acute neuropathic pain after receiving paclitaxel treatment, a chemotherapeutic agent. The participants were allocated randomly into two groups, one receiving Venlafaxine and the other receiving Duloxetine. The participants underwent assessments for anxiety, depression, pain, neuropathy, quality of life, and neuropathic pain through the administration of questionnaires at the commencement of the study and after ten weeks following the intervention. Results: Both groups exhibited decreased neuropathic pain, with the venlafaxine group significantly reducing McGill's pain score. Although, the result is not suggestive of a difference between venlafaxine and duloxetine impact on any variables scores. Conclusion: Duloxetine and Venlafaxine effectively treat neuropathic symptoms such as paraesthesia, tingling, and itching. Venlafaxine is also beneficial for relieving pain associated with neuropathy.This trial was retrospectively registered on 1.1.2023 at irct.ir (trial registration ID: IRCT20220115053723N1). URL: https://www.irct.ir/trial/62540/pdf.
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Background: Caregivers of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may suffer from anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life (QoL). Our goal was to evaluate the QoL and mood disorders in caregivers and their correlation with the patients' demographic, physical, and mental conditions. Methods: We analyzed data from 39 patients with ALS and their caregivers. Patients completed questionnaires of anxiety assessed by Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7), depression using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and QoL via 40-item Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Assessment Questionnaire (ALSAQ-40). Physical impairment was also measured in the patients using the revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R). Caregivers were also assessed by BDI-II, GAD-7, and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36). Results: The prevalence of depression and anxiety in the patients was 82.1% and 71.8%, respectively. Caregivers also had higher rates of anxiety and depression and lower levels of QoL in comparison with the general population (anxiety: 66.7%, depression: 43.6%). Depression and anxiety were considerably associated with worsened QoL in the caregivers. None of the demographic, physical, or mental characteristics of patients with ALS were related to either mood status or QoL of the caregiver population. Conclusion: Caregivers experience higher rates of anxiety and depression and lower QoL in comparison with the general population. The severity of mood disorders is inversely associated with the physical and mental domains of caregivers' QoL. Nonetheless, QoL in the caregivers is not affected by the physical or mental disability of the patients.
