Motivations of patients seeking supportive care for cancer from physicians prescribing homeopathic or conventional medicines: results of an observational cross-sectional study

Background & aimsThe motivations of patients who consult a homeopathic (GP-Ho) or conventional (GP-CM) general practitioner for supportive care during cancer treatment have not been widely studied. We investigated the reasons why cancer patients consult a GP-Ho versus a GP-CM for supportive care and the GPs' motivations for their prescriptions.MethodsThis observational survey was carried out in France between October 2008 and October 2011. GPs across France were randomly selected and asked to recruit four cancer patients each. At inclusion, the sociodemographic and clinical (including psychological) characteristics and medical history of the patients were recorded by the GPs and the patients noted their quality of life (QoL) and anxiety/depression using the Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 (QLQ-C30) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) self-questionnaires. The main motivations of the patients regarding the type of GP consultation and the main reasons for the GPs' prescriptions were recorded.ResultsSix hundred and forty four patients were included in the analysis: 399 consulted a GP-CM (n = 112) and 245 a GP-Ho (n = 73). Patients consulting a GP-Ho were more often female [OR = 1.93; 95%CI: 1.11–3.35; p = 0.02], employed in a professional capacity [OR = 6.57; 95%CI: 1.96–21.99; p = 0.002], have a shorter time since cancer diagnosis [OR = 2.19; 95%CI: 1.24–3.87; p = 0.007], have received targeted anticancer therapy [OR = 3.70; 95%CI: 1.67–8.18; p = 0.001] and have a high QLQ-C30 score for constipation [OR = 1.01; 95%CI: 1.00–1.02; p = 0.001]. Patients mainly consulted a GP-Ho to receive overall care (73.5% vs. 64.9%; p = 0.024) and medicines to prevent anticancer treatment-related side-effects (63.7% vs. 41.4%; p < 0.0001). In contrast, patients consulted a GP-CM to receive psychological care (50.1% vs. 40.8%; p = 0.021) and more information regarding the oncologists' strategic decisions (p < 0.0001). There was a significantly greater prescription of psychotropic drugs by GP-CM (53.7% vs. 22.4%, p < 0.0001).ConclusionsPatients consulting a GP-Ho or GP-CM had different motivations for seeking supportive care. There was a significantly greater prescription of psychotropic drugs by GP-CM

Granocyte-colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Has Significant Efficacy as Secondary Prophylaxis of Chemotherapy-induced Neutropenia in Patients with Solid Tumors: Results of a Prospective Study

Abstract. Aim: To carry out a prospective, multicenter and observational study describing prophylactic strategies [cycle delay, dose-reduction, (G-CSF) Neutropenia is a common side-effect of cancer chemotherapy in patients with solid tumors. Febrile neutropenia (FN), defined by grade 4 neutropenia and &gt;38.0˚C fever is the complication of most concern. It is associated with severe morbidity and increased risk of mortality (1-3). A correlation between the dose/dosing schedule and neutropenia has been established for most cytotoxic agents (4, 5). However the risk of developing life-threatening complications after an episode of severe neutropenia (i.e. FN) is variable from one patient to another due to individual risk factors. Some risk factors can be considered in predicting the risk of neutropenia and are well-established in international guidelines in the primary prophylaxis setting (5, 6). These are: age (&gt;65 years old and older), advanced disease, altered patient condition [poor performance status (PS) and/or nutritional status], preexisting condition (active infection, open wound, recent surgery), previous FN, previous irradiation to pelvis, and impaired renal or liver function. Granulocyte colony stimulating factors (G-CSF) reduce the severity and duration of neutropenia and F

Low probability of disease cure in advanced ovarian carcinomas before the PARP inhibitor era

BACKGROUND: In ovarian carcinomas, the likelihood of disease cure following first-line medical-surgical treatment has been poorly addressed. The objective was to: (a) assess the likelihood of long-term disease-free (LDF) > 5 years; and (b) evaluate the impact of the tumour primary chemosensitivity (assessed with the modelled CA-125 KELIM) with respect to disease stage, and completeness of debulking surgery. METHODS: Three Phase III trial datasets (AGO-OVAR 9; AGO-OVAR 7; ICON-7) were retrospectively investigated in an "adjuvant dataset", whilst the Netherlands Cancer Registry was used in a "neoadjuvant dataset". The prognostic values of KELIM, disease stage and surgery outcomes regarding the likelihood of LDF were assessed using univariate/multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Of 2029 patients in the "adjuvant dataset", 82 (4.0%) experienced LDF (Stage I-II: 25.9%; III: 2.1%; IV: 0.5%). Multivariate analyses identified disease stage and KELIM (OR = 4.24) as independent prognostic factors. Among the 1452 patients from the "neoadjuvant dataset", 36 (2.4%) had LDF (Stage II-III: 3.3%; IV: 1.3%). Using multivariate tests, high-risk diseases (OR = 0.18) and KELIM (OR = 2.96) were significant. CONCLUSION: The probability of LDF > 5 years after first-line treatment in 3486 patients (<4%) was lower than thought. These data could represent a reference for future studies meant to assess progress related to PARP inhibitors

Chemotherapeutic errors in hospitalised cancer patients: attributable damage and extra costs

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In spite of increasing efforts to enhance patient safety, medication errors in hospitalised patients are still relatively common, but with potentially severe consequences. This study aimed to assess antineoplastic medication errors in both affected patients and intercepted cases in terms of frequency, severity for patients, and costs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A 1-year prospective study was conducted in order to identify the medication errors that occurred during chemotherapy treatment of cancer patients at a French university hospital. The severity and potential consequences of intercepted errors were independently assessed by two physicians. A cost analysis was performed using a simulation of potential hospital stays, with estimations based on the costs of diagnosis-related groups.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among the 6, 607 antineoplastic prescriptions, 341 (5.2%) contained at least one error, corresponding to a total of 449 medication errors. However, most errors (n = 436) were intercepted before medication was administered to the patients. Prescription errors represented 91% of errors, followed by pharmaceutical (8%) and administration errors (1%). According to an independent estimation, 13.4% of avoided errors would have resulted in temporary injury and 2.6% in permanent damage, while 2.6% would have compromised the vital prognosis of the patient, with four to eight deaths thus being avoided. Overall, 13 medication errors reached the patient without causing damage, although two patients required enhanced monitoring. If the intercepted errors had not been discovered, they would have resulted in 216 additional days of hospitalisation and cost an estimated annual total of 92, 907€, comprising 69, 248€ (74%) in hospital stays and 23, 658€ (26%) in additional drugs.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our findings point to the very small number of chemotherapy errors that actually reach patients, although problems in the chemotherapy ordering process are frequent, with the potential for being dangerous and costly.</p

Intérêt de l'homéopathie dans la prise en charge des patients atteints de cancer

STRASBOURG-Medecine (674822101) / SudocSudocFranceF

APPORT DE LA PHARMACOCINETIQUE DE POPULATION A L'INDIVIDUALISATION POSOLOGIQUE DES AGENTS CYTOTOXIQUES (L'EXEMPLE DU CARCINOME BRONCHIQUE INDIFFERENCIE A PETITES CELLULES TRAITE PAR UNE POLYCHIMIOTHERAPIE DE TYPE A.V.I. (ADRIAMYCINE - ETOPOSIDE - IFOSFAMIDE))

LYON1-BU Santé (693882101) / SudocPARIS-BIUM (751062103) / SudocPARIS-BIUP (751062107) / SudocSudocFranceF

Modélisation, optimisation, développement, évaluation de la chimiothérapie par docétaxel-épirubicine dans le cancer du sein métastatique (Protocole MODEL-1 (étude pilote de phase 1))

LYON1-BU Santé (693882101) / SudocSudocFranceF

Pharmacocinétique de l'étoposide et survie globale dans les cancers bronchiques à petites cellules (une étude multicentrique)

LYON1-BU Santé (693882101) / SudocPARIS-BIUM (751062103) / SudocSudocFranceF

Infection et thrombose sur cathéter veineux central chez le patient cancéreux (évaluation des pratiques sur une population hospitalière de 150 patients)

LYON1-BU Santé (693882101) / SudocPARIS-BIUM (751062103) / SudocSudocFranceF

Traitement du cancer de l'ovaire au stage avancé chez la femme de plus de 70 ans (l'expérience du GINECO)

LYON1-BU Santé (693882101) / SudocPARIS-BIUM (751062103) / SudocSudocFranceF