Within and between day repeatability of the incremental shuttle walking test in patients with thoracic cancer

Background: Breathlessness is common in patients with thoracic cancer but difficult to manage. The Incremental Shuttle Walking Test (ISWT) can help assess new treatments, but its repeatability has not been described in this group. Aim: To examine within and between day repeatability of the ISWT in this setting. Methods: Patients with incurable thoracic cancer were recruited from outpatient clinics at a University Hospital. Two ISWTs were completed one hour apart on two consecutive days, with the first test for familiarization purposes only. Repeatability of distance walked was examined using Bland and Altman plots and assessed as the single determination (within subject) standard deviation of the difference between tests and its 95% range. Results: Forty-one patients participated and completed all tests. Mean (SD) distance walked was 333 (134), 349 (129) and 353 (130) m over the three tests, with the mean difference significantly different from zero between days (16 m, 95% CI 8–24 m, P = 0.043) but not within days (5 m, 95% CI –2 to 12 m, P = 0.47). Within and between day single determination SD and 95% ranges were 30 (−31 to 91) m and 36 (−37 to 109) m respectively. Conclusions: These data help inform the design of studies making use of the ISWT and the interpretation of their findings

Lung cancer diagnosed following an emergency admission: mixed methods study of the management, outcomes and needs and experiences of patients and carers

Background In the UK, although 40% of patients with lung cancer are diagnosed following an emergency admission (EA), data is limited on their needs and experiences as they progress through diagnostic and treatment pathways. Methods Prospective data collection using medical records, questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Multivariate logistic regression explored associations between diagnosis following EA and aspects of interest. Questionnaire responses with 95% confidence intervals were compared with local and national datasets. A grounded theory approach identified patient and carer themes. Results Of 401 patients, 154 (38%) were diagnosed following EA; 37 patients and six carers completed questionnaires and 13 patients and 10 carers were interviewed. Compared to those diagnosed electively, EA patients adjusted results found no difference in treatment recommendation, treatment intent or place of death. Time to diagnosis, review, or treatment was 7–14 days quicker but fewer EA patients had a lung cancer nurse present at diagnosis (37% vs. 62%). Palliative care needs were high (median [IQR] 21 [13–25] distressing or bothersome symptoms/issues) and various information and support needs unmet. Interviews highlighted in particular, perceived delays in obtaining investigations/specialist referral and factors influencing success or failure of the cough campaign. Conclusions Presentation as an EA does not appear to confer any inherent disadvantage regarding progress through lung cancer diagnostic and treatment pathways. However, given the frequent combination of advanced disease, poor performance status and prognosis, together with the high level of need and reported short-fall in care, we suggest that a specialist palliative care assessment is routinely offered

Use of a Cybex NORM dynamometer to assess muscle function in patients with thoracic cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The cachexia-anorexia syndrome impacts on patients' physical independence and quality of life. New treatments are required and need to be evaluated using acceptable and reliable outcome measures, e.g. the assessment of muscle function. The aims of this study were to: (i) examine the acceptability and reliability of the Cybex NORM dynamometer to assess muscle function in people with non-small cell lung cancer or mesothelioma; (ii) compare muscle function in this group with healthy volunteers and; (iii) explore changes in muscle function over one month.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The test consisted of 25 repetitions of isokinetic knee flexion and extension at maximal effort while seated on a Cybex NORM dynamometer. Strength and endurance for the quadriceps and hamstrings were assessed as peak torque and total work and an endurance ratio respectively. Thirteen patients and 26 volunteers completed the test on three separate visits. Acceptability was assessed by questionnaire, reliability by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and tests of difference compared outcomes between and within groups.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All subjects found the test acceptable. Peak torque and work done were reliable measures (ICC >0.80), but the endurance ratio was not. Muscle function did not differ significantly between the patient and a matched volunteer group or in either group when repeated after one month.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>For patients with non-small cell lung cancer or mesothelioma, the Cybex NORM dynamometer provides an acceptable and reliable method of assessing muscle strength and work done. Muscle function appears to be relatively well preserved in this group and it appears feasible to explore interventions which aim to maintain or even improve this.</p

Lung cancer diagnosed following an emergency admission: exploring patient and carer perspectives on delay in seeking help

Purpose Compared to others, patients diagnosed with lung cancer following an emergency, unplanned admission to hospital (DFEA) have more advanced disease and poorer prognosis. Little is known about DFEA patients’ beliefs about cancer and its symptoms or about their help-seeking behaviours prior to admission. Methods As part of a larger single-centre, prospective mixed-methods study conducted in one University hospital, we undertook qualitative interviews with patients DFEA and their carers to obtain their understanding of symptoms and experiences of trying to access healthcare services before admission to hospital. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Framework analysis was employed. Results Thirteen patients and 10 carers plus 3 bereaved carers took part in interviews. Three patient/carer dyads were interviewed together. Participants spoke about their symptoms and why they did not seek help sooner. They described complex and nuanced experiences. Some (n = 12) had what they recalled as the wrong symptoms for lung cancer and attributed them either to a pre-existing condition or to ageing. In other cases (n = 9), patients or carers realised with hindsight that their symptoms were signs of lung cancer, but at the time had made other attributions to account for them. In some cases (n = 3), a sudden onset of symptoms was reported. Some GPs (n = 6) were also reported to have made incorrect attributions about cause. Conclusion Late diagnosis meant that patients DFEA needed palliative support sooner after diagnosis than patients not DFEA. Professionals and lay people interpret health and illness experiences differently

Factors influencing exercise performance in thoracic cancer

SummaryBackgroundPatients with incurable thoracic cancer often complain of a reduced ability to exercise, but the cause of this has been little studied. Thus, we have explored how various physiological and psychological factors relate to exercise performance in this group.MethodsInspiratory muscle strength, peripheral muscle power, lung function and mastery over breathlessness were assessed using sniff nasal inspiratory pressure, leg extensor power, simple spirometry and the mastery domain of the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire respectively. Exercise performance was assessed using the Incremental Shuttle Walking Test (ISWT) during which patients wore a K4 b2 system permitting measurement of resting and breakpoint heart rate, minute ventilation (VE) and oxygen uptake (VO2). Relationships between ISWT distance and the four factors were determined using correlation and β regression coefficients.ResultsForty-one patients (21 male, mean (SD) age 64 (8) years) walked a median [IQR] of 320 [250–430] metres and reached a mean (SD) of 76 (10), 77 (25), and 48 (14) of their percent predicted maximum heart rate, VO2, and VE respectively. Exercise performance was significantly associated only with inspiratory muscle strength (r = 0.42, P < 0.01) and peripheral muscle power (r = 0.39, P = 0.01). These factors were also significant determinants of exercise performance (β coefficients [95%CI] 1.77 [0.53, 3.01] and 1.22 [0.31, 2.14] respectively).ConclusionOf the factors examined, only inspiratory and peripheral muscle performance were significantly related to and predictive of exercise performance. Rehabilitation interventions which include inspiratory and peripheral muscle training are worth exploring further in this group of patients with thoracic cancer