23 research outputs found
Side effects of analgesia may significantly reduce quality of life in symptomatic multiple myeloma: a cross-sectional prevalence study
Background Pain is a common symptom in patients with
multiple myeloma (MM). Many patients are dependent on
analgesics and in particular opioids, but there is limited information
on the impact of these drugs and their side effects on
health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
Method In a cross-sectional study, semi-structured interviews
were performed in 21 patients attending the hospital with
symptomatic MM on pain medications. HRQoL was measured
using items 29 and 30 of the European Organisation for
Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30.
Results Patients were able to recall a median of two (range
0–4) analgesics. They spontaneously identified a median
of two (range 1–5) side effects attributable to their analgesic
medications. Patients’ assessment of HRQoL based on
the EORTC QLQ-C30 questions 29/30 was mean 48.3
(95 % CI; 38.7–57.9) out of 100. Patients’ assessment of
their HRQoL in the hypothetical situation, in which they
would not experience any side effects from analgesics, was
significantly higher: 62.6 (53.5–71.7) (t test, p=0.001).
Conclusion This study provides, for the first time, evidence
that side effects of analgesics are common in symptomatic
MM and may result in a statistically and clinically significant
reduction of self-reported HRQoL
Comparative Oncogenomic Analysis of Copy Number Alterations in Human and Zebrafish Tumors Enables Cancer Driver Discovery
The identification of cancer drivers is a major goal of current cancer research. Finding driver genes within large chromosomal events is especially challenging because such alterations encompass many genes. Previously, we demonstrated that zebrafish malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are highly aneuploid, much like human tumors. In this study, we examined 147 zebrafish MPNSTs by massively parallel sequencing and identified both large and focal copy number alterations (CNAs). Given the low degree of conserved synteny between fish and mammals, we reasoned that comparative analyses of CNAs from fish versus human MPNSTs would enable elimination of a large proportion of passenger mutations, especially on large CNAs. We established a list of orthologous genes between human and zebrafish, which includes approximately two-thirds of human protein-coding genes. For the subset of these genes found in human MPNST CNAs, only one quarter of their orthologues were co-gained or co-lost in zebrafish, dramatically narrowing the list of candidate cancer drivers for both focal and large CNAs. We conclude that zebrafish-human comparative analysis represents a powerful, and broadly applicable, tool to enrich for evolutionarily conserved cancer drivers.Kathy and Curt Marble Cancer Research FundArthur C. MerrillNational Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant CA106416)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant ROI RR020833)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant 1F32GM095213-01
Tapentadol Prolonged Release Versus Strong Opioids for Severe, Chronic Low Back Pain: Results of an Open-Label, Phase 3b Study
Determinants for acceptance of preventive treatment against heart disease – a web-based population survey
Practice Patterns and Treatment Challenges in Acute Postoperative Pain Management: A Survey of Practicing Physicians
Health Care Utilization and Costs Associated with Nausea and Vomiting in Patients Receiving Oral Immediate-Release Opioids for Outpatient Acute Pain Management
Analgesic use by ageing and elderly patients with chronic non-malignant pain: a qualitative study
Background: Analgesics are used in the management of chronic non-malignant pain (CNMP), a condition which is highly prevalent among older adults. CNMP may not only be physically distressing but also complicated by psychosocial and economic factors. An individual’s perception and use of analgesics may be influenced by a range of factors such as perceptions of risk or benefits, ability to purchase medication or access to non-pharmacological therapies or specialist care. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the perceptions and experiences of analgesics by ageing and elderly individuals with CNMP and identify factors that influence their use. Setting: Telephone interviews with 28 members of Chronic Pain Ireland aged ≥50. Method: In-depth semi-structured interviews; audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analysed. Main outcome measure Experiences and perceptions of ageing and elderly individuals with CNMP taking analgesics. Results: A combination of factors specific to the patient and arising from outside influences informed perceptions and experiences of analgesics. Pain severity, perceived efficacy of analgesics, occurrence of adverse-effects and concerns about addiction/dependence were identified as internal factors influencing medication use. External factors included views of family members, access to specialised care and the individual’s interaction with healthcare professionals (HCPs). Conclusion: Individuals with CNMP regard analgesics as an important method for managing pain and are relied upon when other interventions are difficult to access. HCPs in primary care, who are the main point of contact for patients, need to take into account the various factors that may influence analgesic use when consulting with this patient group