Impact of diagnosis and treatment of clinically localized prostate cancer on health-related quality of life for older Americans: a population-based study

Rural-urban differences in health-related quality of life: patterns for cancer survivors compared to other older adults

PURPOSE

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among older cancer survivors can be impaired by factors such as treatment, comorbidities, and social challenges. These HRQOL impairments may be especially pronounced in rural areas, where older adults have higher cancer burden and more comorbidities and risk factors for poor health. This study aimed to assess rural-urban differences in HRQOL for older cancer survivors and controls.

METHODS

Data came from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (SEER-MHOS), which links cancer incidence from 18 U.S. population-based cancer registries to survey data for Medicare Advantage Organization enrollees (1998-2014). HRQOL measures were 8 standardized subscales and 2 global summary measures. We matched (2:1) controls to breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer survivors, creating an analytic dataset of 271,640 participants (ages 65+). HRQOL measures were analyzed with linear regression models including multiplicative interaction terms (rurality by cancer status), controlling for sociodemographics, cohort, and multimorbidities.

RESULTS

HRQOL scores were higher in urban than rural areas (e.g., global physical component summary score for breast cancer survivors: urban mean = 38.7, standard error [SE] = 0.08; rural mean = 37.9, SE = 0.32; p < 0.05), and were generally lower among cancer survivors compared to controls. Rural cancer survivors had particularly poor vitality (colorectal: p = 0.05), social functioning (lung: p = 0.05), role limitation-physical (prostate: p < 0.01), role limitation-emotional (prostate: p < 0.01), and global mental component summary (prostate: p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Supportive interventions are needed to increase physical, social, and emotional HRQOL among older cancer survivors in rural areas. These interventions could target cancer-related stigma (particularly for lung and prostate cancers) and/or access to screening, treatment, and ancillary healthcare resources.

Impact of Health-related Quality of Life and Prediagnosis Risk of Major Depressive Disorder on Treatment Choice in Low- and Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer

Background

Treatment for low-risk (LR), favorable intermediate-risk (FIR), and unfavorable intermediate-risk (UIR) prostate cancer (PC) is complicated by clinical equipoise between multiple options. It is unknown how prediagnosis health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and major depressive disorder (MDD) risk impact treatment decisions.

Objective

To analyze associations of patient-reported HRQoL and MDD risk with treatment for LR, FIR, and UIR PC patients.

Design, setting, and participants

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results and Medicare Health Outcomes Survey–linked database, we identified 1678 PC patients (498 with LR, 685 with FIR, and 495 with UIR) aged ≥65 yr and diagnosed between 2004 and 2015, who completed the health outcomes survey ≤24 mo before diagnosis.

Outcome measurements and statistical analysis

HRQoL was measured by physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summaries of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) and Veterans RAND 12-item (VR-12) health survey instruments. MDD risk was derived from survey items screening for depressive symptoms. Associations with treatment choice were assessed by multivariable multinomial logistic regression.

Results and limitations

LR patients with higher PCS scores were more likely to receive radiation than surgery (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.5 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.1–2.1; p = 0.02]). FIR patients with MDD risk were more likely to receive neither treatment than surgery or radiation (surgery: AOR 2.6 [95% CI: 1.1–6.2; p = 0.03]; radiation: AOR 2.2 [95% CI: 1.2–4.2; p = 0.01]). UIR patients with MDD risk were more likely to undergo radiation than surgery (AOR 2.3 [95% CI: 1.0–4.9; p =0.04]). Additionally, higher PCS scores were associated with receipt of surgery compared with neither treatment (AOR 1.5 [95% CI: 1.1–2.0; p =0.01]). This study is limited by its retrospective design.

Conclusions

Older PC patients with MDD risk received less invasive treatments in the FIR and UIR groups. Higher PCS scores were associated with treatment modality in LR and UIR patients. HRQoL and MDD risk impact treatment choice, warranting additional study.

Patient summary

Treatment of prostate cancer requires thoughtful decision-making processes. This study shows that both pretreatment mental status and pretreatment physical status affect treatment decisions, and should be considered during counseling.

Changes in health-related quality of life outcomes in older patients with kidney cancer: A longitudinal cohort analysis with matched controls

BACKGROUND

Current evidence regarding health-related quality of life (HRQoL) changes among patients with kidney cancer (KC) is limited. We characterized HRQoL changes from before (baseline) to after (follow-up) diagnosis of KC in older Americans relative to matched controls, and identified sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with HRQoL changes in older patients with KC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This longitudinal, population-based, retrospective cohort study used data from Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results linked with Medicare Health Outcomes Survey, 1998-2013. Participants aged ≥65 years with baseline and follow-up survey data were identified. Those with primary KC (n = 186) were matched to adults without cancer (n = 558). HRQoL (physical component summary and mental component summary [MCS]) changes in KC patients were compared using generalized linear mixed-effects models to those of controls. Regression models were used to identify baseline factors associated with HRQoL changes.

RESULTS

The adjusted least squares mean (95% confidence interval) reduction in physical component summary from baseline to follow-up was greater in KC patients vs. controls (-4.1 [-5.6, -2.7] vs. -2.3 [-3.1, -1.4], P = 0.025). While the reduction in MCS was similar in both groups (-2.4 [-3.9, -0.8] vs. -1.5 [-2.4, -0.6], P = 0.338). Lower income and distant stage KC predicted greater declines in MCS among KC patients.

CONCLUSION

KC significantly affects overall general health in older patients, with sociodemographic factors and distant KC predicting greater reductions in HRQoL. Findings may help clinicians set patient expectations about their HRQoL post-diagnosis and increase clinician awareness of risk factors for HRQoL deterioration.

Histotripsy: The Next Generation of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound for Focal Prostate Cancer Therapy

This article reviews the most current methods and technological aspects of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), which is termed histotripsy. The rationale for focal therapy for prostate carcinoma rather than prostatectomy, which is being used extensively throughout Europe and Asia, is presented, and an argument for why HIFU is the modality of choice for primary therapy and recurrent disease is offered. The article presents a review of the technical advances including higher ultrasound beam energy than current thermal HIFU which allows for more accurate tissue targeting, less collateral tissue damage, and faster treatment times. Finally, the article presents a discussion about the advantage of ultrasound guidance for histotripsy in preference to magnetic resonance imaging guidance primarily based on cost, ease of application, and portability.

Population differences in health-related quality of life between cancer survivors and controls: Does low educational attainment widen the gap?

Aims: This study aimed to compare health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among cancer survivors and controls in the Danish population, with special attention given to the impact of low educational attainment. Comparisons were made at population level and for subgroups stratified by education. Furthermore, comparisons were made for all cancer diagnoses combined and for the 14 most prevalent cancer sites and 'other cancer sites'. Finally, the importance of time since initial diagnosis was examined. Methods: HRQOL was measured using the physical component score (PCS) and mental component score (MCS) of the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey version 2 in a population-based survey. By linking data with the Danish Cancer Registry, 11,166 cancer survivors and 151,117 individuals with no history of cancer were identified. Results: HRQOL was reduced in cancer survivors for all cancers combined and most cancer sites. Differences were found at population level and stratified by educational attainment. PCS was reduced to a similar extent in the three educational groups, whereas MCS was reduced slightly more in the low than in the high educational attainment group. HRQOL increased with time since initial diagnosis during the first years. Conclusions: Cancer survivors had lower HRQOL than controls, and HRQOL was lower in the low than in the high educational attainment group. However, low educational attainment did not widen the gap in HRQOL following a cancer diagnosis. Despite this, the combined effect of low educational attainment and a cancer diagnosis markedly reduced HRQOL in some cancer survivors. The study identified groups of cancer survivors with low HRQOL who may have unmet rehabilitation needs.

A scoping review of core outcome sets and their 'mapping' onto real-world data using prostate cancer as a case study

Background

A Core Outcomes Set (COS) is an agreed minimum set of outcomes that should be reported in all clinical studies related to a specific condition. Using prostate cancer as a case study, we identified, summarized, and critically appraised published COS development studies and assessed the degree of overlap between them and selected real-world data (RWD) sources.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review of the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) Initiative database to identify all COS studies developed for prostate cancer. Several characteristics (i.e., study type, methods for consensus, type of participants, outcomes included in COS and corresponding measurement instruments, timing, and sources) were extracted from the studies; outcomes were classified according to a predefined 38-item taxonomy. The study methodology was assessed based on the recent COS-STAndards for Development (COS-STAD) recommendations. A ‘mapping’ exercise was conducted between the COS identified and RWD routinely collected in selected European countries.

Results

Eleven COS development studies published between 1995 and 2017 were retrieved, of which 8 were classified as ‘COS for clinical trials and clinical research’, 2 as ‘COS for practice’ and 1 as ‘COS patient reported outcomes’. Recommended outcomes were mainly categorized into ‘mortality and survival’ (17%), ‘outcomes related to neoplasm’ (18%), and ‘renal and urinary outcomes’ (13%) with no relevant differences among COS study types. The studies generally fulfilled the criteria for the COS-STAD ‘scope specification’ domain but not the ‘stakeholders involved’ and ‘consensus process’ domains. About 72% overlap existed between COS and linked administrative data sources, with important gaps. Linking with patient registries improved coverage (85%), but was sometimes limited to smaller follow-up patient groups.

Conclusions

This scoping review identified few COS development studies in prostate cancer, some quite dated and with a growing level of methodological quality over time. This study revealed promising overlap between COS and RWD sources, though with important limitations; linking established, national patient registries to administrative data provide the best means to additionally capture patient-reported and some clinical outcomes over time. Thus, increasing the combination of different data sources and the interoperability of systems to follow larger patient groups in RWD is required.

Trajectories in muscular strength and physical function among men with and without prostate cancer in the health aging and body composition study

Objectives

To examine and compare changes in strength and physical function from pre- to post-diagnosis among men with prostate cancer (PC, [cases]) and matched non-cancer controls identified from the Health, Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) study.

Materials and methods

We conducted a longitudinal analysis of 2 strength and 3 physical function-based measures among both cases and controls, identified from a large cohort of community living older adults enrolled in the Health ABC study. We plotted trajectories for each measure and compared cases vs. controls from the point of diagnosis onwards using mixed-effects regression models. For cases only, we examined predictors of poor strength or physical function.

Results

We identified 117 PC cases and 453 matched non-cancer controls (50% African Americans). At baseline, there were no differences between cases and controls in demographic factors, comorbidities or self-reported physical function; however, cases had slightly better grip strength (44.6 kg vs. 41.0 kg, p<0.01), quadriceps strength (360.5 Nm vs. 338.7 Nm, p = 0.02) and Health ABC physical performance battery scores (2.4 vs. 2.3, p = 0.01). All men experienced similar declines in strength and physical function over an equivalent amount of time. The loss of quad strength was most notable, with losses of nearly two-thirds of baseline strength over approximately 7 years of follow up.

Conclusions

Among both cases and controls, strength and physical function decline with increasing age. The largest declines were seen in lower body strength. Regular assessments should guide lifestyle interventions that can offset age- and treatment-related declines among men with PC.

Depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life in older women with gynecologic Cancers

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to assess factors associated with depressive symptoms in older women with gynecologic cancers and to examine the association of depression with health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Women aged 65 and older previously diagnosed with cervical, ovarian, or uterine cancer (n=1977) were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results - Medicare Health Outcomes Survey database and compared to propensity-matched cancer-free controls (n=9885). Women with and without depressive symptoms were compared by cancer status. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with depressive symptoms, and linear regression was used to determine the association of depressive symptoms with HRQOL measures.

RESULTS

The prevalence of depressive symptoms was higher among older women with gynecologic cancer (31.9%, 32.2%, and 25.3% for cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancer, respectively) than cancer-free older women (24.9%) (p=0.05). Adjusting for demographic and clinical factors, older women with ovarian cancer were significantly more likely to have depressive symptoms than controls (Prevalence Odds Ratio = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.31, 2.32, p < 0.01). Among older women with gynecologic cancer, comorbid conditions and functional limitations were strongly associated with depressive symptoms. Women with depressive symptoms showed significant decrements in both physical and mental measures of HRQOL.

CONCLUSION

This study gives insight into correlates of depressive symptoms that may be used to better identify women with gynecologic cancers who are at risk of depression. The relatively high prevalence of depressive symptoms and significant deficits in HRQOL underscore the need for effective screening and treatment of depression in older women with gynecologic cancers.

Change in Functional Status After Prostate Cancer Treatment Among Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationship between treatment and subsequent functional status among prostate cancer patients.

METHODS

Using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare Health Outcomes Survey data, we identified men 65 years or older diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1998 and 2009 (follow-up through 2010) who were treated with conservative management, surgery, or radiation. Our primary outcome was functional status as measured by activities of daily living. Secondary outcomes included physical component summary and mental component summary scores, which are both calculated from the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and the Veterans RAND 12-item health survey (VR-12) questionnaires. We included patients who completed 2 surveys and performed propensity score analyses to match patients 1:5 with noncancer controls. We used generalized linear mixed effects models, accounting for clustering due to insurance plan.

RESULTS

We identified 408 patients of whom 143 (35%) underwent conservative management, 59 (14%) underwent surgery, and 206 (51%) underwent radiation. Among conservative management and radiation patients, changes in functional status mirrored that of their noncancer controls (all P > .05). Among surgery patients, changes in activities of daily living scores were not significant, but physical component summary (mean difference = 4.5, P < .001) and mental component summary (mean difference = 3.3, P = .01) scores declined slightly more than for their noncancer peers.

CONCLUSION

Surgery patients had a slight decline in their general functional status whereas conservative management and radiation patients had no differences in functional status compared with their noncancer peers. Although the functional status of surgery patients declined more than that of their noncancer peers, this difference may not be clinically significant.

Relationship of Suicidal Ideation With Demoralization, Depression, and Anxiety: A Study of Cancer Patients in Mainland China

Demoralization is a form of psychological distress that may cause suicidal ideation. Demoralization syndrome is common among cancer patients, but there has been little empirical study on the association of suicidal ideation with demoralization, depression, and anxiety in this population. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of high demoralization among cancer patients in mainland China and the contribution of high demoralization to suicidal ideation beyond the impact of self-report depression and anxiety. In this cross-sectional study, 303 patients with cancer were invited to complete questionnaires. In total, 14.5% participants reported suicidal ideation and 49.50% high demoralization. Logistic regression analysis identified high demoralization as an independent risk factor for suicidal ideation. Only depression (odds ratio [OR], 6.68) had a stronger influence on suicidal ideation than demoralization (OR, 5.85), and patients with both depression and high demoralization were most likely to experience suicidal ideation. These findings suggest that measures of demoralization can help identify cancer patients at high suicide risk and that such patients require further attention and measures targeting demoralization for suicide prevention.

Self-Management in Long-Term Prostate Cancer Survivors: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

PURPOSE

This randomized clinical trial compared a personally tailored, automated telephone symptom management intervention to improve self-management among long-term survivors of prostate cancer with usual care enhanced with a nontailored newsletter about symptom management. We hypothesized that intervention-group participants would have more confident symptom self-management and reduced symptom burden.

METHODS

A total of 556 prostate cancer survivors who, more than 1 year after treatment, were experiencing symptom burden were recruited from April 2015 to February 2017 across four Veterans Affairs sites. Participants were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 278) or usual care (n = 278) groups. We compared differences in the primary (symptom burden according to Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite-26 [EPIC], confidence in self-management) and secondary outcomes between groups using intent-to-treat analyses. We compared domain-specific changes in symptom burden from baseline to 5 and 12 months among the intervention group according to the primary symptom focus area (urinary, bowel, sexual, general) of participants.

RESULTS

Most of the prostate cancer survivors in this study were married (54.3%), were white (69.2%), were retired (62.4%), and underwent radiation therapy (56.7% v 46.2% who underwent surgery), and the mean age was 67 years. There were no baseline differences in urinary, bowel, sexual, or hormonal domain EPIC scores across groups. We observed higher EPIC scores in the intervention arm in all domain areas at 5 months, though differences were not statistically significant. No differences were found in secondary outcomes; however, coping appraisal was higher (2.8 v 2.6; P = .02) in intervention-arm patients at 5 months. In subgroup analyses, intervention participants reported improvement from baseline at 5 and 12 months in their symptom focus area domains.

CONCLUSION

This intervention was well received among veterans who were long-term survivors of prostate cancer. Although overall outcome differences were not observed across groups, the intervention tailored to symptom area of choice may hold promise to improve associated burden.

The Impact of Anxiety and Depression on Surgical and Functional Outcomes in Patients Who Underwent Radical Prostatectomy

BACKGROUND

Depression and anxiety are associated with worse surgical outcomes and higher complication rates among various types of general or orthopedic surgeries.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of depression and anxiety on surgical, oncological, and functional outcomes in radical prostatectomy (RP) patients.

DATA, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Retrospective analysis of 5862 RP patients (2014-2016).

INTERVENTION

RP.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Baseline depression and anxiety were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) and categorized into 0-2 (normal), 3-5 (mild), and ≥6 (moderate to severe) points. Surgical outcomes included length of hospital stay (LOS), blood loss, and complications (Clavien-Dindo grading). Functional outcomes included urinary incontinence (UI) and erectile dysfunction (ED). Oncological outcomes focused on biochemical recurrence (BCR). Kaplan-Meier plots, multivariable logistic analyses, and Cox regression analyses were used.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Overall, 28% patients had abnormal PHQ-4 scores and 8% a score ≥6 points. Higher PHQ-4 was significantly associated with worse surgical outcomes (longer LOS and higher complication rates) and higher risk for UI. No statistically significant difference was found for ED. However, we observed a higher use of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors and intracavernous injection therapies among men with PHQ-4 score of ≥3. BCR was not affected by PHQ-4. The main limitations are the retrospective design as well as the lack of information on concomitant medications or follow-up PHQ-4 scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher PHQ-4 scores are significantly associated with worse surgical outcomes and higher risk for UI. Our study highlights the importance of preoperative depression and anxiety assessment to optimize quality of life and to reduce health-related costs.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Patients with preoperative depression or anxiety are at higher risk for postoperative complications and urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy.

Nonmuscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Influences Physical Health Related Quality of Life and Urinary Incontinence

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and urinary function within patients diagnosed with NMIBC as compared to the general population.

METHODS

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare Health Outcome Survey (SEER-MHOS) database (1998-2013), 325 patients diagnosed with NMIBC with baseline and postdiagnosis MHOS surveys were propensity-matched 1:5 to noncancer controls (NCC). Multivariate linear regression analysis compared NMIBC patients with matched NCC in terms of physical component summary (PCS), mental component summary (MCS), and health domain scales. Changes in urinary function were assessed using χ² testing.

RESULTS

Patients diagnosed with NMIBC experienced significant decline in PCS vs NCC (-3.0, 95% confidence interval [CI -4.1, -2.0] vs -1.5, 95%CI [-2.0, -1.0], P = .01), while the observed decline in MCS was not significantly different (P = .09) between groups. On sub-analysis, the significant decline in PCS was confined to patients with high-risk NMIBC (P = .01). NMIBC patients had significantly greater decline in role physical (P = .04), general health (P = .04) and role emotional (P <0.01) health domain scales. NMIBC patients were more likely to report worsened urinary leakage, require physician intervention, and receive new treatment for urinary leakage (P values all <.01).

CONCLUSION

NMIBC diagnosis was associated with significant decreases in physical HRQOL and urinary function compared with NCC. Further study focused on NMIBC patients, and the inherent HRQOL factors to this diagnosis is needed to assess where improvements can be made in treating this patient population.

Nonlinear Predictive Models for Multiple Mediation Analysis: With an Application to Explore Ethnic Disparities in Anxiety and Depression Among Cancer Survivors

Mediation analysis allows the examination of effects of a third variable (mediator/confounder) in the causal pathway between an exposure and an outcome. The general multiple mediation analysis method (MMA), proposed by Yu et al., improves traditional methods (e.g., estimation of natural and controlled direct effects) to enable consideration of multiple mediators/confounders simultaneously and the use of linear and nonlinear predictive models for estimating mediation/confounding effects. Previous studies find that compared with non-Hispanic cancer survivors, Hispanic survivors are more likely to endure anxiety and depression after cancer diagnoses. In this paper, we applied MMA on MY-Health study to identify mediators/confounders and quantify the indirect effect of each identified mediator/confounder in explaining ethnic disparities in anxiety and depression among cancer survivors who enrolled in the study. We considered a number of socio-demographic variables, tumor characteristics, and treatment factors as potential mediators/confounders and found that most of the ethnic differences in anxiety or depression between Hispanic and non-Hispanic white cancer survivors were explained by younger diagnosis age, lower education level, lower proportions of employment, less likely of being born in the USA, less insurance, and less social support among Hispanic patients.

Symptom and function profiles of men with localized prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer seek information on how treatment options may impact their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The authors used latent profile analysis (LPA) to group men according to their symptom burden and functional status and to identify patient characteristics associated with each HRQOL profile.

METHODS

Patients completed the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System and the Expanded Prostate Index Composite measures 3 months after treatment initiation. Anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance, pain, diarrhea, urinary obstruction, urinary incontinence, erectile function, and sex satisfaction were modeled jointly using LPA, and the analysis was adjusted for covariates to examine associations between patient characteristics and profiles.

RESULTS

One-third of the 373 men were not non-Hispanic white (26% were black). Four LPA profiles were identified. Men who experienced the "best HRQOL" were less likely to receive treatment, to be older, and to smoke. Men in the second best profile experienced symptoms similar to men in the best HRQOL group but reported poor sexual and urinary function, because they were more likely to receive therapy. The third profile included men with increased symptom burden and poor functioning who were likely to undergo prostatectomy and to have increased comorbidity. The "worst HRQOL" group experienced the worst symptoms and the poorest functioning, and these men were more likely to be younger, to have more comorbidities, and to smoke.

CONCLUSIONS

LPA revealed that men who receive the same treatment can experience very different HRQOL impact. Understanding the factors most associated with poorer HRQOL allows clinicians to focus their care on individuals most in need of symptom management and support. Cancer 2018;124:2832-2840. © 2018 American Cancer Society.

Enhancing Survivorship Care Planning for Patients With Localized Prostate Cancer Using a Couple-Focused mHealth Symptom Self-Management Program: Protocol for a Feasibility Study

BACKGROUND

This project explores a new model of care that enhances survivorship care planning and promotes health for men with localized prostate cancer transitioning to posttreatment self-management. Survivorship care planning is important for patients with prostate cancer because of its high incidence rate in the United States, the frequent occurrence of treatment-related side effects, and reduced quality of life (QOL) for both men and their partners. A key component of comprehensive survivorship care planning is survivorship care plans (SCPs), documents that summarize cancer diagnosis, treatment, and plans for follow-up care. However, research concerning the effectiveness of SCPs on patient outcomes or health service use has thus far been inconclusive. SCPs that are tailored to individual patients' needs for information and care may improve effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to examine the feasibility of an enhanced survivorship care plan (ESCP) that integrates a symptom self-management mHealth program called Prostate Cancer Education and Resources for Couples (PERC) into the existing standardized SCP. The specific aims are to (1) examine the feasibility of delivering ESCPs and (2) to estimate the magnitude of benefit of ESCPs.

METHODS

We will use a two-group randomized controlled pretest-posttest design and collect data at baseline (T1) and 4 months later (T2) among 50 patients completing initial treatment for localized prostate cancer and their partners. First, we will assess the feasibility of ESCP by recruitment, enrollment, and retention rates; program satisfaction with the ESCP; and perceived ease of use of the ESCP. To achieve the secondary aim, we will compare the ESCP users with the standardized SCP users and assess their primary outcomes of QOL (overall, physical, emotional, and social QOL); secondary outcomes (reduction in negative appraisals and improvement in self-efficacy, social support, and health behaviors to manage symptoms); and number of visits to posttreatment care services between T1 and T2. We will assess the primary and secondary outcomes using measurements with sound psychometrical properties. We will use a qualitative and quantitative mixed methods approach to achieve the research aims.

RESULTS

This project is ongoing and will be completed by the end of 2018.

CONCLUSIONS

The results from this study will help design a definitive randomized trial to test the efficacy of the ESCPs, a potentially scalable program, to enhance supportive care for prostate cancer patients and their families.

The impact of prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment decision-making on health-related quality of life before treatment onset

Objective

The objective of this study is to test if patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) declines after prostate biopsy to detect Pca, and after subsequent treatment decision-making in case Pca is confirmed, and to test whether personality state and traits are associated with these potential changes in HRQoL.

Methods

Patients who were scheduled for prostate biopsy to detect Pca (N = 377) filled out a baseline questionnaire about HRQoL (EORTC QLQ-C30 and PR25), “big five” personality traits (BFI-10), optimism (LOT-r), and self-efficacy (Decision Self-efficacy Scale) (t0). Patients with confirmed Pca (N = 126) filled out a follow-up questionnaire on HRQoL within 2 weeks after treatment was chosen but had not yet started (t1).

Results

HRQoL declined between t0 and t1, reflected in impaired role and cognitive functioning, and elevated fatigue, constipation, and prostate-specific symptoms. Sexual activity and functioning improved. Baseline HRQoL scores were unrelated to the selection of a particular treatment, but for patients who chose a curative treatment, post-decision HRQoL showed a greater decline compared to patients who chose active surveillance. Optimism was associated with HRQoL at baseline; decisional self-efficacy was positively associated with HRQoL at follow-up. No associations between HRQoL and the “big five” personality traits were found.

Conclusion

Patients who have undergone prostate biopsy and treatment decision-making for Pca experience a decline in HRQoL. Choosing treatment with a curative intent was associated with greater decline in HRQoL. Interventions aimed at optimism and decision self-efficacy could be helpful to reduce HRQoL impairment around the time of prostate biopsy and treatment decision-making.

Partial Gland Treatment of Prostate Cancer Using High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound in the Primary and Salvage Settings: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE

Advances in prostate imaging, biopsy and ablative technologies have been accompanied by growing enthusiasm for partial gland ablation, particularly using high-intensity focused ultrasound, to treat prostate cancer. Preserving noncancerous prostate tissue and minimizing damage to the neurovascular bundles and external urethral sphincter may improve functional outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review was performed following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines using a combination of MeSH® terms, free text search and examination of relevant bibliographies using MEDLINE® and Embase® from the inception of each database through October 10, 2016. We excluded studies describing exclusively whole gland ablation, case reports and series where treatment was followed by immediate resection.

RESULTS

A total of 13 studies that enrolled 543 patients were included. Of the studies 11 were performed in the primary setting and 2 in the salvage setting. Median followup ranged from 6 months to 10.6 years. Rates of posttreatment erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence ranged from 0% to 48% and 0% to 50%, respectively, with definitions varying by study. Overall there were 254 reported complications. Marked heterogeneity between studies limited the ability to pool results regarding functional and oncologic outcomes. A total of 76 patients (14%) subsequently received further oncologic treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Early evidence suggests that partial gland ablation is a safe treatment option for men with localized disease. Longer term data are needed to evaluate oncologic efficacy and functional outcomes, and will aid in identifying the optimal candidates for therapy. Standardization of outcomes definitions will allow for better comparison between studies and among treatment modalities.

Optimizing veteran-centered prostate cancer survivorship care: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

Although prostate cancer is the most common cancer among veterans receiving care in the Veterans Health Administration (VA), more needs to be done to understand and improve survivorship care for this large population. This study, funded by VA Health Services Research & Development (HSR&D), seeks to address the need to improve patient-centered survivorship care for veterans with prostate cancer.

Methods/Design

This is a two-armed randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a target enrollment of up to 325 prostate cancer survivors per study arm (total anticipated n = 600). Patients will be recruited from four VA sites. Patient eligibility criteria include age range of 40–80 years, one to ten years post-treatment, and currently experiencing prostate cancer symptom burden. We will compare the “Building Your New Normal” program, a personally-tailored automated telephone symptom management intervention for improving symptom self-management to usual care enhanced with a non-tailored newsletter about symptom management. Primary outcomes include changes in symptom burden, bother, and health services utilization at five and 12 months after enrollment. Secondary outcomes include long-term psychosocial outcomes (e.g. subjective health, perceived cancer control). We will use multivariable regression analysis to evaluate the impact of the intervention on primary and secondary outcomes. We will conduct a process evaluation to understand the effective intervention components and explore possibilities for broader implementation and dissemination.

Discussion

Our central hypothesis is that intervention group participants will have improved and more confident symptom self-management and prostate cancer quality of life following the intervention and that these outcomes will translate to more efficient use of health services. The study results will provide much needed information about how to optimize the quality of care, and life, of veteran prostate cancer survivors.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT01900561; Registered on 22 July 2013.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-017-1925-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The prognostic value of pre-diagnosis health-related quality of life on survival: a prospective cohort study of older Americans with lung cancer

PURPOSE

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after cancer diagnosis is prognostic for overall survival (OS). However, no studies have assessed if HRQOL before diagnosis is predictive for OS. The objective of this study was to determine the association between pre-lung cancer diagnosis HRQOL and OS.

METHODS

Our prospective cohort study used surveillance, epidemiology, and end results linked to the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey. We included 6290 individuals 65 years or older diagnosed with incident lung cancer from 1998 to 2013. We assessed the prognostic value of (1) short-form 36 summary component and domain-specific scores, (2) activities of daily living (ADL), and (3) two global HRQOL questions. Cox-proportional hazards models were used to examine associations between HRQOL and OS, adjusting for demographics, comorbid conditions, and clinical characteristics.

RESULTS

Worse pre-diagnosis HRQOL was significantly associated with greater risk of death across HRQOL measures. An above average physical or mental component summary score was associated with 16 and 24% decreases in the hazard of death, respectively (p < 0.0001). Being unable to perform ADLs, such as bathing oneself, was associated with an 89% increased hazard of death (p < 0.0001). Reporting "poor" versus "excellent" health was associated with a 74% increase in the hazard of death (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

This population-based study reinforces the importance of self-reported health status as a predictor for OS. Routine HRQOL screening may identify patients who could benefit from early interventions to improve HRQOL. Future studies should explore associations between changes in HRQOL before and after cancer diagnosis and OS.

Prospective assessment of the quality of life before, during and after image guided intensity modulated radiotherapy for prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Radiotherapy (RT) in combination with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer (PCa) carries a risk of gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary toxicity, which might affect the quality of life (QoL). The purpose of this study was to assess the QoL in patients with PCa before, during and after radiotherapy (RT) and to compare the QoL 1 year after RT to a normal population.

METHODS

The QoL was evaluated prospectively by the self-administered questionnaire SF-36 in 87 patients with PCa. The SF-36 was completed before RT (baseline), at start of RT, at end of RT and 1 year after RT. A mixed model analysis was used to determine the changes in QoL at each time point compared to baseline. The patients' QoL 1 year after RT was compared to a normal population consisting of 462 reference subjects matched on age and education.

RESULTS

One year after RT, patients reported significantly less pain and significantly fewer limitations due to their physical health compared to baseline. Compared to the normal population, patients reported significantly less pain 1 year after RT. However, patients also reported significantly less vitality, worse mental health as well as significantly more limitations due to physical and mental health 1 year after RT compared to the normal population.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, patients with PCa did not experience significant impairment in the QoL 1 year after RT compared to baseline. However, patients reported significantly worse mental health before, during and 1 year after RT compared to the normal population.

Association between Time since Cancer Diagnosis and Health-Related Quality of Life: A Population-Level Analysis

OBJECTIVES

To examine the association between time since cancer diagnosis and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among cancer survivors in remission.

METHODS

Analyzing data from 3,610 cancer survivors and 59,539 individuals without cancer in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, we examined the relationship between time since cancer diagnosis and HRQOL, taking remission status into account and controlling for patients' demographic characteristics and comorbidities. HRQOL measurements included the six-dimensional health state short form (derived from 36-item short form health survey) (SF-6D) utility scores, the physical component summary score, and the mental component summary score.

RESULTS

The relationship between time since cancer diagnosis and HRQOL varied substantially across cancer types. Compared with individuals without cancer, survivors of breast, prostate, or poor-prognosis cancer had statistically lower SF-6D scores within 2 years of diagnosis (-0.044, -0.062, and -0.088, respectively). Breast cancer survivors had SF-6D scores similar to those of individuals without cancer after 2 years, as did patients with poor-prognosis cancer after 5 years. Nevertheless, even after a period of 10 years, survivors of prostate or cervical cancer had a lower level of SF-6D scores (-0.027 and -0.042, respectively). The comparisons of physical health between cancer survivors and individuals without cancer were similar to those of SF-6D. In contrast, most cancer survivors did not experience poorer mental health; survivors of prostate or cervical cancer, however, had lower mental component summary scores after 10 years of diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The level of HRQOL among cancer survivors depends on time since cancer diagnosis and cancer type. Some cancer survivors have lower HRQOL after a decade of diagnosis, even in remission.

Depressive symptoms in older long-term colorectal cancer survivors: a population-based analysis using the SEER-Medicare healthcare outcomes survey

PURPOSE

Colorectal cancer survivorship has improved significantly over the last 20 years; however, few studies have evaluated depression among older colorectal cancer survivors, especially using a population-based sample. The aim of this study was to identify correlates for positive depression screen among colorectal cancer survivors who underwent potentially curative surgery.

METHODS

Using the 1998-2007 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End-Result registry and the Medicare Health Outcome Survey linked dataset, we identified patients over 65 with pathology confirmed and resected colorectal cancer enrolled in Medicare. Using univariate and multiple variable analyses, we identified characteristics of patients with and without positive depression screen.

RESULTS

Resected colorectal cancer patients (1785) (median age 77, 50.8 % female) were identified in the dataset with 278 (15.6 %) screening positive for symptoms of depression. Median time from diagnosis to survey was 62 months. On univariate analysis, larger tumor size, advanced cancer stage, and extent of resection were not correlates of depressive symptoms (all p > 0.05). After adjusting for confounders, income less than US$30,000 per year (OR 1.50, 1.02-2.22, 95 % CI, p = 0.042), non-white race (OR 1.51, 1.05-2.17, 95 % CI, p = 0.027), two or more comorbidities (OR 1.78, 1.25-2.52, 95 % CI, p = 0.001), and impairment in activities of daily living (OR 5.28, 3.67-7.60, 95 % CI, p < 0.001) were identified as independent correlates of depressive symptoms in colorectal cancer survivors.

CONCLUSIONS

In the current study, socioeconomic status and features of physical health rather than tumor characteristics were associated with symptoms of depression among long-term colorectal cancer survivors.

Ablative therapy for people with localised prostate cancer: a systematic review and economic evaluation

BACKGROUND

For people with localised prostate cancer, active treatments are effective but have significant side effects. Minimally invasive treatments that destroy (or ablate) either the entire gland or the part of the prostate with cancer may be as effective and cause less side effects at an acceptable cost. Such therapies include cryotherapy, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and brachytherapy, among others.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the relative clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of ablative therapies compared with radical prostatectomy (RP), external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and active surveillance (AS) for primary treatment of localised prostate cancer, and compared with RP for salvage treatment of localised prostate cancer which has recurred after initial treatment with EBRT.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE (1946 to March week 3, 2013), MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations (29 March 2013), EMBASE (1974 to week 13, 2013), Bioscience Information Service (BIOSIS) (1956 to 1 April 2013), Science Citation Index (1970 to 1 April 2013), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (issue 3, 2013), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) (issue 3, 2013), Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) (inception to March 2013) and Health Technology Assessment (HTA) (inception to March 2013) databases were searched. Costs were obtained from NHS sources.

REVIEW METHODS

Evidence was drawn from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs, and from case series for the ablative procedures only, in people with localised prostate cancer. For primary therapy, the ablative therapies were cryotherapy, HIFU, brachytherapy and other ablative therapies. The comparators were AS, RP and EBRT. For salvage therapy, the ablative therapies were cryotherapy and HIFU. The comparator was RP. Outcomes were cancer related, adverse effects (functional and procedural) and quality of life. Two reviewers extracted data and carried out quality assessment. Meta-analysis used a Bayesian indirect mixed-treatment comparison. Data were incorporated into an individual simulation Markov model to estimate cost-effectiveness.

RESULTS

The searches identified 121 studies for inclusion in the review of patients undergoing primary treatment and nine studies for the review of salvage treatment. Cryotherapy [3995 patients; 14 case series, 1 RCT and 4 non-randomised comparative studies (NRCSs)], HIFU (4000 patients; 20 case series, 1 NRCS) and brachytherapy (26,129 patients; 2 RCTs, 38 NRCSs) studies provided limited data for meta-analyses. All studies were considered at high risk of bias. There was no robust evidence that mortality (4-year survival 93% for cryotherapy, 99% for HIFU, 91% for EBRT) or other cancer-specific outcomes differed between treatments. For functional and quality-of-life outcomes, the paucity of data prevented any definitive conclusions from being made, although data on incontinence rates and erectile dysfunction for all ablative procedures were generally numerically lower than for non-ablative procedures. The safety profiles were comparable with existing treatments. Studies reporting the use of focal cryotherapy suggested that incontinence rates may be better than for whole-gland treatment. Data on AS, salvage treatment and other ablative therapies were too limited. The cost-effectiveness analysis confirmed the uncertainty from the clinical review and that there is no technology which appears superior, on the basis of current evidence, in terms of average cost-effectiveness. The probabilistic sensitivity analyses suggest that a number of ablative techniques are worthy of further research.

LIMITATIONS

The main limitations were the quantity and quality of the data available on cancer-related outcomes and dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicate that there is insufficient evidence to form any clear recommendations on the use of ablative therapies in order to influence current clinical practice. Research efforts in the use of ablative therapies in the management of prostate cancer should now be concentrated on the performance of RCTs and the generation of standardised outcomes.

STUDY REGISTRATION

This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42012002461.

FUNDING

The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

Optimism and Spontaneous Self-affirmation are Associated with Lower Likelihood of Cognitive Impairment and Greater Positive Affect among Cancer Survivors

BACKGROUND

Optimism and self-affirmation promote adaptive coping, goal achievement, and better health.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to examine the associations of optimism and spontaneous self-affirmation (SSA) with physical, mental, and cognitive health and information seeking among cancer survivors.

METHODS

Cancer survivors (n = 326) completed the Health Information National Trends Survey 2013, a national survey of US adults. Participants reported optimism, SSA, cognitive and physical impairment, affect, health status, and information seeking.

RESULTS

Participants higher in optimism reported better health on nearly all indices examined, even when controlling for SSA. Participants higher in SSA reported lower likelihood of cognitive impairment, greater happiness and hopefulness, and greater likelihood of cancer information seeking. SSA remained significantly associated with greater hopefulness and cancer information seeking when controlling for optimism.

CONCLUSIONS

Optimism and SSA may be associated with beneficial health-related outcomes among cancer survivors. Given the demonstrated malleability of self-affirmation, these findings represent important avenues for future research.

Health-Related Quality of Life, Psychological Distress, and Sexual Changes Following Prostate Cancer: A Comparison of Gay and Bisexual Men with Heterosexual Men

INTRODUCTION

Decrements in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and sexual difficulties are a recognized consequence of prostate cancer (PCa) treatment. However little is known about the experience of gay and bisexual (GB) men.

AIM

HRQOL and psychosexual predictors of HRQOL were examined in GB and heterosexual men with PCa to inform targeted health information and support.

METHOD

One hundred twenty-four GB and 225 heterosexual men with PCa completed a range of validated psychosexual instruments.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate (FACT-P) was used to measure HRQOL, with validated psychosexual measures, and demographic and treatment variables used as predictors.

RESULTS

GB men were significantly younger (64.25 years) than heterosexual men (71.54 years), less likely to be in an ongoing relationship, and more likely to have casual sexual partners. Compared with age-matched population norms, participants in both groups reported significantly lower sexual functioning and HRQOL, increased psychological distress, disruptions to dyadic sexual communication, and lower masculine self-esteem, sexual confidence, and sexual intimacy. In comparison with heterosexual men, GB men reported significantly lower HRQOL (P = .046), masculine self-esteem (P < .001), and satisfaction with treatment (P = .013); higher psychological distress (P = .005), cancer related distress (P < .001) and ejaculatory concern (P < .001); and higher sexual functioning (P < .001) and sexual confidence (P = .001). In regression analysis, psychological distress, cancer-related distress, masculine self-esteem, and satisfaction with treatment were predictors of HRQOL for GB men (R2Adj = .804); psychological distress and sexual confidence were predictors for heterosexual men (R2Adj = .690).

CONCLUSION

These findings confirm differences between GB and heterosexual men in the impact of PCa on HRQOL across a range of domains, suggesting there is a need for GB targeted PCa information and support, to address the concerns of this "hidden population" in PCa care.

Real-Time MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound for Focal Therapy of Locally Confined Low-Risk Prostate Cancer: Feasibility and Preliminary Outcomes

OBJECTIVE

Focal therapy is an emerging approach to the treatment of localized prostate cancer. The purpose of this study was to report the 6-month follow-up oncologic and functional data of the initial phase 1 trial of patients treated with focal transrectal MRI-guided focused ultrasound in North America.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Four patients with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of 10 ng/mL or less, tumor classification cT2a or less, and a Gleason score of 6 (3 + 3) were prospectively enrolled in the study and underwent multiparametric MRI and transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate systematic biopsy. Under MRI guidance and real-time monitoring with MR thermography, focused high-frequency ultrasound energy was delivered to ablate the target tissue. The incidence and severity of treatment-related adverse events were recorded along with responses to serial quality-of-life questionnaires for 6 months after treatment. Oncologic outcomes were evaluated with multiparametric MRI and repeat transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy 6 months after treatment.

RESULTS

Four patients with a total of six target lesions were treated and had complications graded Clavien-Dindo I or less. Quality-of-life parameters were similar between baseline and 6-months. All four patients had normal MRI findings in the treated regions (100%), biopsy showed that three patients (75%) were clear of disease in the treated regions, representing complete ablation of five target lesions (83%). All patients had at least one Gleason 6-positive core outside of the treated zone.

CONCLUSION

MRI-guided focused ultrasound is a feasible method of noninvasively ablating low-risk prostate cancers with low morbidity. Further investigation and follow-up are warranted in a larger patient series with appropriate statistical analysis of oncologic and functional outcome measures.

Pre-treatment effects of peripheral tumors on brain and behavior: neuroinflammatory mechanisms in humans and rodents

Cancer patients suffer high levels of affective and cognitive disturbances, which have been attributed to diagnosis-related distress, impairment of quality of life, and side effects of primary treatment. An inflammatory microenvironment is also a feature of the vast majority of solid tumors. However, the ability of tumor-associated biological processes to affect the central nervous system (CNS) has only recently been explored in the context of symptoms of depression and cognitive disturbances. In this review, we summarize the burgeoning evidence from rodent cancer models that solid tumors alter neurobiological pathways and subsequent behavioral processes with relevance to affective and cognitive disturbances reported in human cancer populations. We consider, in parallel, the evidence from human clinical cancer research demonstrating that affective and cognitive disturbances are common in some malignancies prior to diagnosis and treatment. We further consider the underlying neurobiological pathways, including altered neuroinflammation, tryptophan metabolism, prostaglandin synthesis and associated neuroanatomical changes, that are most strongly implicated in the rodent literature and supported by analogous evidence from human cancer populations. We focus on the implications of these findings for behavioral researchers and clinicians, with particular emphasis on methodological issues and areas of future research.

BDNF promoter methylation associated with suicidal ideation in patients with breast cancer

OBJECTIVE

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been considered a risk factor for suicidality. BDNF secretion is influenced by epigenetic (DNA methylation) and genetic (val66met polymorphism) profiles. We aimed to investigate the independent effects of BDNF promoter methylation status on suicidal ideation as well as the effects of its interaction with the val66met polymorphism in patients with breast cancer.

METHODS

A total of279 patients with breast cancer were evaluated 1 week after breast surgery, and 244 (87%) were followed up 1 year later. Suicidal ideation was identified using the item addressing suicidal thoughts on the Beck Depression Inventory. The independent effects of BDNF methylation status on suicidal ideation at two points was investigated using multivariable logistic regression models. The two-way interactive effects of BDNF methylation status and the val66met polymorphism on suicidal ideation were also estimated using the same models.

RESULTS

Increased BDNF methylation was significantly associated with suicidal ideation and depression 1 year after breast surgery, and this association was independent of potential covariates, including previous depression, current depressive symptoms, and BDNF genotype. No significant methylation-genotype interactions were found.

CONCLUSIONS

The BDNF hypothesis and the epigenetic origin of suicidality in patients with breast cancer were supported. BDNF gene methylation status may be a biological marker for suicidality in patients with breast cancer.

Determinants of suicidal ideation in gynecological cancer patients

OBJECTIVE

Gynecological cancer survivors are at increased risk of psychological problems including suicide risk. Suicidal ideation, which was thought to be precursor to suicide attempts, has not been well studied. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, and determinants of suicidal ideation for women with gynecological cancer, and then to assess the effect of coping style and social support on suicidal ideation.

METHODS

Patients with cervical, ovarian and endometrial cancers seen at Hunan Provincial Tumor Hospital from September 2012 to June 2013 were consecutively recruited and were asked to complete the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, Suicidal Ideation of Self-rating Scale, Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire and Social Support Rating Scale. Path analysis was used to examine the relationship among coping style, social support, depression symptoms and suicidal ideation.

RESULTS

A total of 579 (579/623, 93.0%) gynecological cancer patients were enrolled in this study and completed all investigations between September 2012 and June 2013. Among them, 105 (18.1%) patients reported suicidal ideation, with the highest rate in patients with ovarian cancer (30.16%). Suicidal ideation was associated with depression symptoms, care providers, chemotherapy history and acceptance-resignation. Path analysis showed that the acceptance-resignation affected suicidal ideation directly as well as mediated by social support and depression symptoms, while confrontation and avoidance affected suicidal ideation entirely through social support and depression symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Suicidal ideation is high among patients with gynecological cancer, especially among ovarian cancer patients. Coping strategies such as confrontation and avoidance, and social support may be helpful for preventing suicidal ideation among them.

Evidence of associations between cytokine gene polymorphisms and quality of life in patients with cancer and their family caregivers

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

To identify latent classes of individuals with distinct quality-of-life (QOL) trajectories, to evaluate for differences in demographic characteristics between the latent classes, and to evaluate for variations in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine genes between the latent classes.

DESIGN

Descriptive, longitudinal study.

SETTING

Two radiation therapy departments located in a comprehensive cancer center and a community-based oncology program in northern California.

SAMPLE

168 outpatients with prostate, breast, brain, or lung cancer and 85 of their family caregivers (FCs).

METHODS

Growth mixture modeling (GMM) was employed to identify latent classes of individuals based on QOL scores measured prior to, during, and for four months following completion of radiation therapy. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes in 16 candidate cytokine genes were tested between the latent classes. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationships among genotypic and phenotypic characteristics and QOL GMM group membership.

MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES

QOL latent class membership and variations in cytokine genes.

FINDINGS

Two latent QOL classes were found: higher and lower. Patients and FCs who were younger, identified with an ethnic minority group, had poorer functional status, or had children living at home were more likely to belong to the lower QOL class. After controlling for significant covariates, between-group differences were found in SNPs in interleukin 1 receptor 2 (IL1R2) and nuclear factor kappa beta 2 (NFKB2). For IL1R2, carrying one or two doses of the rare C allele was associated with decreased odds of belonging to the lower QOL class. For NFKB2, carriers with two doses of the rare G allele were more likely to belong to the lower QOL class.

CONCLUSIONS

Unique genetic markers in cytokine genes may partially explain interindividual variability in QOL.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Determination of high-risk characteristics and unique genetic markers would allow for earlier identification of patients with cancer and FCs at higher risk for poorer QOL. Knowledge of these risk factors could assist in the development of more targeted clinical or supportive care interventions for those identified.

Psychosocial interventions for men with prostate cancer: a Cochrane systematic review

To evaluate the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for men with prostate cancer in improving quality of life (QoL), self-efficacy and knowledge and in reducing distress, uncertainty and depression. We searched for trials using a range of electronic databases including the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO to October 2013, together with hand searching of journals and reference lists. Randomised controlled trials were eligible if they included psychosocial interventions that explicitly used one or a combination of the following approaches: cognitive behavioural, psycho-educational, supportive and counselling. Interventions had to be delivered or facilitated by trained or lay personnel. Our outcomes were an improvement in QoL, self-efficacy and knowledge and a reduction in distress, uncertainty and depression. Pairs of review authors independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias. We analysed data using standardised mean differences (SMDs), random-effects models and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). In all, 19 studies with a total of 3 204 men, with a diagnosis of prostate cancer, comparing psychosocial interventions vs usual care were included in this review. Men in the psychosocial intervention group had a small, statistically significant improvement in the physical component of general health-related QoL (GHQoL) at end of intervention (SMD 0.12, 95% CI 0.01-0.22) based on low quality evidence. There was no clear evidence of benefit associated with psychosocial interventions for the mental component of GHQoL at end of intervention (SMD -0.04, 95% CI -0.15 to 0.06) based on moderate quality evidence. At end of intervention, cancer-related QoL showed a small improvement after psychosocial interventions (SMD 0.21, 95% CI 0.04-0.39). For prostate cancer-specific and symptom-related QoL, the differences between intervention and control groups were not significant. There was no clear evidence that psychosocial interventions were beneficial in improving self-efficacy at end of intervention (SMD 0.16, 95% CI -0.05 to 0.38) based on very low quality evidence. Men in the psychosocial intervention group had a moderate increase in prostate cancer knowledge at end of intervention (SMD 0.51, 95% CI 0.32-0.71) based on very low quality evidence. A small increase in knowledge with psychosocial interventions was noted at 3 months after intervention (SMD 0.31, 95% CI 0.04-0.58). The results for uncertainty (SMD -0.05, 95% CI -0.35 to 0.26) and distress (SMD 0.02, 95% CI -0.11 to 0.15) at end of intervention were compatible with both benefit and harm based on very low quality evidence. Finally, there was no clear evidence of benefit associated with psychosocial interventions for depression at end of intervention (SMD -0.18, 95% CI -0.51 to 0.15) based on very low quality evidence. The overall risk of bias in the included studies was unclear or high, primarily as the result of performance bias. No data about stage of disease or treatment with androgen-deprivation therapy were extractable for subgroup analysis. Only one study addressed adverse effects. Overall, this review shows that psychosocial interventions may have small, short-term beneficial effects on certain domains of wellbeing, as measured by the physical component of GHQoL and cancer-related QoL when compared with usual care. Prostate cancer knowledge was also increased. However, this review failed to show a statistically significant effect on other domains such as symptom-related QoL, self-efficacy, uncertainty, distress or depression. Moreover, when beneficial effects were seen, it remained uncertain whether the magnitude of effect was large enough to be considered clinically important. The quality of evidence for most outcomes was rated as very low according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system, reflecting study limitations, loss to follow-up, study heterogeneity and small sample sizes. We were unable to perform meaningful subgroup analyses based on disease stage or treatment method. Although some findings of this review are encouraging, they do not provide sufficiently strong evidence to permit meaningful conclusions about the effects of these interventions in men with prostate cancer. Additional well executed and transparently reported research studies are necessary to establish the role of psychosocial interventions in men with prostate cancer.

Impact of age on quality-of-life outcomes after treatment for localized prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Men aged >65 yr are less likely to receive local therapy for prostate cancer (PCa), perhaps because of concerns about quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To describe QOL before and after PCa treatment in men of varying ages.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Participants enrolled in CaPSURE who underwent radical prostatectomy, brachytherapy, external beam radiation, androgen deprivation therapy, or active surveillance for localized PCa.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

QOL changes over time were assessed among age groups using repeated-measures mixed models adjusted for race, year, clinical risk, treatment, comorbidities, and an age-time interaction term. Differences are reported as adjusted least-square means and percentage decline. Secondary analyses evaluated age and QOL for local (prostatectomy, radiation) compared to nonlocal treatment (hormonal, surveillance).

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Older men had lower mean unadjusted pre- and post-treatment QOL scores for nearly all domains. Of the domains evaluated, adjusted mean sexual function, sexual bother, and urinary function showed greater declines from baseline to 2 yr. At 2 yr, more men <60 yr than those >70 yr experienced declines in urinary function (14% vs 9%) and sexual bother (39% vs 17%). Declines in these domains were also greater for local than for nonlocal treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Definitive treatment for localized disease should not be deferred for older men because of fears regarding QOL declines. Younger men should be counseled about potential post-treatment declines in QOL despite higher absolute QOL scores. Communicating these differences to patients will facilitate more appropriate treatment decision-making in men of all ages.

PATIENT SUMMARY

In this study we evaluated quality of life before and after treatment for localized prostate cancer in a diverse patient population. Declines in quality of life after treatment varied according to age and treatment. We conclude that counseling about quality of life will help patients of all ages to make more appropriate treatment decisions.

Quality of life in very elderly radiotherapy patients: a prospective pilot study using the EORTC QLQ-ELD14 module

PURPOSE

In very elderly cancer patients, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a particularly important issue but has rarely been studied due to a lack of specific instruments and of reference data. We performed a prospective analysis of HRQOL in patients ≥80 years undergoing radiotherapy with the newly validated elderly-specific HRQOL module EORTC QLQ-ELD14.

METHODS

We prospectively assessed HRQOL in n = 50 radiotherapy patients ≥80 years (32% lung, 20% gastrointestinal, 8% each of breast, head and neck, gynecologic cancer) at the start (t1), end (t2), and 6 months after (t3) radiotherapy, using EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-ELD14. Overall survival was determined in the whole cohort and subgroups.

RESULTS

Median overall survival from the start of radiotherapy was 15 months; 1-year and 2-year overall survival rates were 57.1 and 31.0%, respectively. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status <2, Charlson comorbidity index ≤6, curative treatment intention, local tumor stage Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (UICC I, II), and total dose >45 Gy were associated with prolonged survival. No significant changes in any HRQOL domain were observed during the course of treatment (t1 to t2). Six months after radiotherapy (t3), a significant and clinically relevant deterioration of HRQOL was seen in EORTC QLQ-C30 for physical function and role function and in EORTC QLQ-ELD14 for future worries, burden of illness, and family support.

CONCLUSIONS

In radiotherapy patients ≥80 years, HRQOL was maintained until the end of radiotherapy but deteriorated in general and elderly-specific areas thereafter, suggesting a need to develop specific supportive interventions for this age group.

Sexual bother in men with advanced prostate cancer undergoing androgen deprivation therapy

INTRODUCTION

Men with advanced prostate cancer (APC) undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) often experience distressing sexual side effects. Sexual bother is an important component of adjustment. Factors associated with increased bother are not well understood.

AIMS

This study sought to describe sexual dysfunction and bother in APC patients undergoing ADT, identify socio-demographic and health/disease-related characteristics related to sexual bother, and evaluate associations between sexual bother and psychosocial well-being and quality of life (QOL).

METHODS

Baseline data of a larger psychosocial intervention study was used. Pearson's correlation and independent samples t-test tested bivariate relations. Multivariate regression analysis evaluated relations between sexual bother and psychosocial and QOL outcomes.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite sexual function and bother subscales, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy--General, and Dyadic Adjustment Scale were the main outcome measures.

RESULTS

Participants (N = 80) were 70 years old (standard deviation [SD] = 9.6) and reported 18.7 months (SD = 17.3) of ADT. Sexual dysfunction (mean = 10.1; SD = 18.0) was highly prevalent. Greater sexual bother (lower scores) was related to younger age (β = 0.25, P = 0.03) and fewer months of ADT (β = 0.22, P = 0.05). Controlling for age, months of ADT, current and precancer sexual function, sexual bother correlated with more depressive symptoms (β = -0.24, P  = 0.06) and lower QOL (β = 0.25, P = 0.05). Contrary to hypotheses, greater sexual bother was related to greater dyadic satisfaction (β = -0.35, P = 0.03) and cohesion (β = -0.42, P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of APC patients undergoing ADT will experience sexual dysfunction, but there is variability in their degree of sexual bother. Psychosocial aspects of sexual functioning should be considered when evaluating men's adjustment to ADT effects. Assessment of sexual bother may help identify men at risk for more general distress and lowered QOL. Psychosocial interventions targeting sexual bother may complement medical treatments for sexual dysfunction and be clinically relevant, particularly for younger men and those first starting ADT.

Coexistence of urinary incontinence and major depressive disorder with health-related quality of life in older Americans with and without cancer

PURPOSE

This study evaluates the prevalence and factors associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) in a population of cancer survivors and the impact of co-occurring MDD and urinary incontinence (UI) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

METHODS

The prevalence of MDD risk among cancer survivors (breast, prostate, bladder, colorectal, lung, and endometrial/uterine cancers) and those without cancer was estimated using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program-Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (SEER-MHOS) linked database (n = 9,282 with cancer/n = 289,744 without cancer). Risk for MDD was measured using three items from the Diagnostic Interview Schedule, and HRQOL was measured by the SF-36. UI was defined as self-reported leakage of urine causing a problem in previous 6 months. Factors associated with MDD were investigated using logistic regression, and the impact of co-occurring MDD and UI on HRQOL scores was determined using linear regression.

RESULTS

The prevalence of MDD risk ranged from 19.2 % for prostate to 34.1 % for lung. Lung cancer diagnosis was associated with risk of MDD. Being ≥5 years from diagnosis was associated with decreased risk of MDD (prevalence odds ratio (POR) = 0.82, 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) 0.71, 0.95). The coexistence of both UI and MDD was associated with a decrease across HRQOL subscales; including 40 points on role-emotional (RE) score.

CONCLUSIONS

Cancer survivors reporting co-occurrence of UI and MDD experienced significant decrements in HRQOL.

IMPLICATIONS OF CANCER SURVIVORS

Understanding the combined effect of UI and MDD may help clinicians to better recognize and alleviate their effects on cancer survivors' HRQOL.

Trajectory of overall health from self-report and factors contributing to health declines among cancer survivors

PURPOSE

This study aims to quantify trajectories of overall health pre- and post-diagnosis of cancer, trajectories of overall health among cancer-free individuals, and factors affecting overall health status.

METHODS

Overall health status, derived from self-rated health report, of Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities cohort participants diagnosed with incident cancer [lung (n = 400), breast (n = 522), prostate (n = 615), colorectal (n = 303)], and cancer-free participants (n = 11,634) over 19 years was examined. Overall health was evaluated in two ways: (1) overall health was assessed until death or follow-up year 19 (survivorship model) and (2) same as survivorship model except that a self-rated health value of zero was used for assessments after death to follow-up year 19 (cohort model). Mean overall health at discrete times was used to generate overall health trajectories. Differences in repeated measures of overall health were assessed using linear growth models.

RESULTS

Overall health trajectories declined dramatically within one-year of cancer diagnosis. Lung, breast, and colorectal cancer were associated with a significant decreased overall health score (β) compared to the cancer-free group (survivorship model: lung-7.00, breast-3.97, colorectal-2.12; cohort model: lung-7.63, breast-5.07, colorectal-2.30). Other predictors of decreased overall health score included low education, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and age.

CONCLUSIONS

All incident cancer groups had declines in overall health during the first year post-diagnosis, which could be due to cancer diagnosis or intensive treatments. Targeting factors related to overall health declines could improve health outcomes for cancer patients.

American Cancer Society prostate cancer survivorship care guidelines

Prostate cancer survivors approach 2.8 million in number and represent 1 in 5 of all cancer survivors in the United States. While guidelines exist for timely treatment and surveillance for recurrent disease, there is limited availability of guidelines that facilitate the provision of posttreatment clinical follow-up care to address the myriad of long-term and late effects that survivors may face. Based on recommendations set forth by a National Cancer Survivorship Resource Center expert panel, the American Cancer Society developed clinical follow-up care guidelines to facilitate the provision of posttreatment care by primary care clinicians. These guidelines were developed using a combined approach of evidence synthesis and expert consensus. Existing guidelines for health promotion, surveillance, and screening for second primary cancers were referenced when available. To promote comprehensive follow-up care and optimal health and quality of life for the posttreatment survivor, the guidelines address health promotion, surveillance for prostate cancer recurrence, screening for second primary cancers, long-term and late effects assessment and management, psychosocial issues, and care coordination among the oncology team, primary care clinicians, and nononcology specialists. A key challenge to the development of these guidelines was the limited availability of published evidence for management of prostate cancer survivors after treatment. Much of the evidence relies on studies with small sample sizes and retrospective analyses of facility-specific and population databases.

Functional status declines among cancer survivors: trajectory and contributing factors

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to quantify functional status (FS) trajectories pre- and post-diagnosis of cancer, FS trajectories among cancer-free individuals, and factors affecting FS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Self-reported FS, scored from 0 (worst) to 100 (best), of Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study cohort participants diagnosed with incident cancer (lung (N=303), breast (N=374), prostate (N=529), colorectal (N=228)), and cancer-free participants (N=11,155) over 15 years was examined. FS was evaluated in two ways: 1) until death or follow-up year 15 (Model 1) and 2) same as survivorship model except that a FS value of zero was used for assessments after death to follow-up year 15 (Model 2). Mean FS at discrete time points were used to generate FS trajectories. Differences in repeated measures of FS were assessed using linear growth models.

RESULTS

Within one year after diagnosis, FS scores declined compared to the cancer-free group, except for prostate cancer. FS continued to decline beyond one year after lung or colorectal cancer diagnosis. FS was lower in all cancer groups, except prostate, compared to the cancer-free group (Model 1: lung -4.76, breast -2.28, colorectal -2.55; Model 2: lung -2.36, breast -2.46, colorectal -2.31). Predictors of decreased FS score independent of cancer diagnosis included low education, comorbidities, obesity, smoking, lack of health insurance, and age.

CONCLUSION

FS in all incident cancer groups declined during the first year post-diagnosis, which could be due to intensive treatments. Targeting factors related to FS declines could improve health outcomes for patients with cancer.

Quality of life and health status among prostate cancer survivors and noncancer population controls

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether quality of life (QOL), health status, and the relationships between them varied by having a prostate cancer history. This study helps to inform the interface between aging-related health decline and the survival state among older men with prostate cancer, which is an important yet understudied public health issue.

METHODS

Hierarchical linear models were used to analyze the cross-sectional data from the nationally representative population-based Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Using propensity score matching, survivors (respondents with prostate cancer history) and controls (respondents without a history of any cancer) (N = 193 pairs) were matched based on 7 sociodemographic and health-related factors. QOL was measured using the mental and physical component scores of the SF-12 (SF-36.org). Health status included comorbidities, activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental ADL, and depressed mood.

RESULTS

In bivariate analyses, survivors reported worse physical (42.72 vs 45.45 respectively; P = .0040) and mental QOL (51.59 vs 53.73 respectively; P = .0295) and more comorbidities (3.25 vs 2.78 respectively; P = .0139) than controls. In multivariate analyses, for both survivors and controls, better physical QOL was associated with fewer comorbidities (P <.0001), no need help with ADL (P = .0011) and IADL (P = .0162), and less depressed mood (P <.0001); better mental QOL was associated with no need help with IADL (P = .0005) and less depressed mood (P <.0001).

CONCLUSION

QOL of older men is affected by physical, functional, and psychological factors rather than prostate cancer history. Clinicians need to attend to aging-related health issues when providing care for prostate cancer survivors to improve QOL.

Impact of bladder cancer on health related quality of life in 1,476 older Americans: a cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

The impact of bladder cancer diagnosis on health related quality of life is poorly understood. We compared health related quality of life measures in patients before and after bladder cancer diagnosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional study in 1,476 patients 65 years old or older with bladder cancer in the SEER-MHOS linkage database between 1998 and 2007 to assess differences in physical and mental component summary scores in 620 and 856 who completed a survey before and after bladder cancer diagnosis, respectively. To determine differences in physical and mental scores in the prediagnosis and post-diagnosis cohorts, we used ANOVA adjusting for baseline covariates.

RESULTS

There were statistically significant differences in physical and mental component summary scores between the prediagnosis and post-diagnosis groups (-2.7, 95% CI -3.8, -1.7 vs -1.4, 95% CI -2.6, -0.3). In patients with nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer the physical and mental score differences were -1.9 (p <0.01) and -1.4 (p = 0.01), respectively. In those with muscle invasive bladder cancer there was a statistically and clinically significant difference in the physical but not the mental score (-5.3, p <0.01 vs -2.7, p = 0.07). This difference in the physical domain persisted up to 10 years after the diagnosis of muscle invasive bladder cancer. Patients with bladder cancer who had 4 or more comorbid medical conditions and 1 or more deficits in daily living activity were most at risk for low physical component summary scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Future research into interventions to improve health related quality of life and methods to incorporate health related quality of life into decision making models are critical to improve outcomes in older patients with bladder cancer.

Are there specific health-related factors that can accentuate the risk of suicide among men with prostate cancer?

Purpose

The aim of this study was to explore if there were some specific factors pertinent to health-related quality of life (HRQoL) that could affect self-experienced suicide ideation in men with prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods

Questionnaires containing 45 items were distributed to members of the Swedish Prostate Cancer Federation in May 2012. Out of 6,400 distributed questionnaires, 3,165 members (50 %) with PCa completed the questionnaires. Those members expressed their experienced HRQoL and experienced suicide ideation using VAS-like scales as well as multiple-choice questions. Both descriptive and analytical statistical methods were employed. A regression model was used to explore the relationship between experienced health-related quality of life and experienced suicide ideation.

Results

Generally, the respondents rated their self-experienced health-related quality of life as good. About 40 % of the participants had experienced problem with incontinence, and 23 % had obstructions during miction. About 7 % of the respondents experienced suicidal ideation, at least sometime. The regression model showed statistically significant relationships between suicide ideation, on the one hand, and lower self-rated health-related quality of life (P < 0.001), physical pain (P = 0.04), pain during miction (P = 0.03), and low-rated mental / physical energy (P = 0.03), on the other.

Conclusion

It is quite necessary to know which specific disease and treatment-related problems can trigger suicide ideations in men with prostate cancer and to try to direct treatment, care, and psychosocial resources to alleviate these problems in time.

Psychosocial interventions for men with prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

As the incidence and prevalence of prostate cancer continue to rise, the number of men needing help and support to assist them in coping with disease and treatment-related symptoms and their psychosocial effects is likely to increase.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for men with prostate cancer in improving quality of life (QoL), self-efficacy and knowledge and in reducing distress, uncertainty and depression.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched for trials using a range of electronic databases including the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO to October 2013, together with handsearching of journals and reference lists.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials of psychosocial interventions for men at any stage of prostate cancer. We included psychosocial interventions that explicitly used one or a combination of the following approaches: cognitive behavioural, psychoeducational, supportive and counselling. Interventions had to be delivered or facilitated by trained or lay personnel.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Pairs of review authors independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias. We analysed data using standardised mean differences (SMDs), random-effects models and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

MAIN RESULTS

Nineteen studies comparing psychosocial interventions versus usual care in a total of 3204 men with prostate cancer were included in this review. All but three of these studies were conducted in the United States.Men in the psychosocial intervention group had a small, statistically significant improvement in the physical component of general health-related quality of life (GHQoL) at end of intervention (1414 participants, SMD 0.12, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.22) based on low-quality evidence. A small improvement in favour of psychosocial interventions (SMD 0.24, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.47) was also seen in the physical component of GHQoL at end of intervention for group-based interventions. No clear evidence of benefit was found for GHQoL scores at end of intervention with individual-based interventions compared with controls. Also, no clear evidence suggested that psychosocial interventions were beneficial in improving the physical component of GHQoL at four to six and at eight to 12 months post-intervention. In addition, no clear evidence showed benefit associated with psychosocial interventions for the mental component of GHQoL at end of intervention (1416 participants, SMD -0.04, 95% CI -0.15 to 0.06) based on moderate-quality evidence. Results for the mental component of GHQoL at four to six and at eight to 12 months post-intervention were compatible with benefit and harm. At end of intervention, cancer-related QoL showed a small improvement following psychosocial interventions (SMD 0.21, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.39), but at eight and 12 months, the effect was compatible with benefit and harm. For prostate cancer-specific and symptom-related QoL, the differences between groups were not significant.No clear evidence indicated that psychosocial interventions were beneficial in improving self-efficacy at end of intervention (337 participants, SMD 0.16, 95% CI -0.05 to 0.38) based on very low-quality evidence in three studies that assessed individual-based interventions. The results for self-efficacy at six to eight and at 12 months post-intervention were compatible with benefit and harm. Men in the psychosocial intervention group had a moderate increase in prostate cancer knowledge at end of intervention (506 participants, SMD 0.51, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.71) based on very low-quality evidence in two studies; this increase was also observed in the subgroups of group-based and individual-based interventions. A small increase in knowledge with psychosocial interventions was noted at three months post-intervention (SMD 0.31, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.58).The results for uncertainty (916 participants, SMD -0.05, 95% CI -0.35 to 0.26) and distress (916 participants, SMD 0.02, 95% CI -0.11 to 0.15) at end of intervention were compatible with both benefit and harm based on very low-quality evidence. No clear evidence suggests that psychosocial interventions were beneficial in reducing uncertainty and distress between groups at six to eight and at 12 months post-intervention. Finally, no clear evidence of benefit is associated with psychosocial interventions for depression at end of intervention (434 participants, SMD -0.18, 95% CI -0.51 to 0.15) based on very low-quality evidence. Individual-based interventions significantly reduced depression when compared with usual care groups. The results for depression at six and at 12 months post-intervention were compatible with benefit and harm.The overall risk of bias in the included studies was unclear or high, primarily as the result of performance bias.No data regarding stage of disease or treatment with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) were extractable for subgroup analysis. Only one study addressed adverse effects. High attrition could indicate that some participants may not have been comfortable with the interventions.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Overall, this review shows that psychosocial interventions may have small, short-term beneficial effects on certain domains of well-being, as measured by the physical component of GHQoL and cancer-related QoL when compared with usual care. Prostate cancer knowledge was also increased. However, this review failed to demonstrate a statistically significant effect on other domains such as symptom-related QoL, self-efficacy, uncertainty, distress or depression. Moreover, when beneficial effects were observed, it remained uncertain whether the magnitude of effect was large enough to be considered clinically important. The quality of evidence for most outcomes was rated as very low according to GRADE, reflecting study limitations, loss to follow-up, study heterogeneity and small sample sizes. We were unable to perform meaningful subgroup analyses based on disease stage or treatment modality. Although some findings of this review are encouraging, they do not provide sufficiently strong evidence to permit meaningful conclusions about the effects of these interventions in men with prostate cancer. Additional well-done and transparently reported research studies are necessary to establish the role of psychosocial interventions in men with prostate cancer.

A population-based study comparing HRQoL among breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer survivors to propensity score matched controls, by cancer type, and gender

BACKGROUND

Objectives were to compare health-related quality of life (HRQoL) between breast cancer survivors, prostate cancer survivors (PCS), and colorectal cancer survivors (CCS) to matched controls, stratified by short and long-term survivors, by cancer type, and gender.

METHODS

By using the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, propensity scores matched three controls to adult survivors >1 year past diagnosis (N = 11,964) on age, gender, race/ethnicity, income, insurance status, and region of the USA Chi-square tests and logistic regression models compared HRQoL outcomes (life satisfaction, activity limitations, sleep quality, emotional support, general, physical, and mental health).

RESULTS

Although all cancer survivors reported worse general health (p < 0.000) and more activity limitations (p < 0.004) than controls, these disparities decreased among long-term survivors. Short-term PCS and male CCS were more likely to report worse outcomes across additional domains of HRQoL than controls, but PCS were 0.61, 0.63, and 0.70 times less likely to report activity limitations, fair/poor general health, and 1-15 bad physical health days in the past month than male CCS. Breast cancer survivors and female CCS were 2.12 and 3.17, 1.58 and 1.86, and 1.49 and 153, respectively, times more likely to report rarely/never receiving needed emotional support, 1-15 bad mental health days in the past month, and not receiving enough sleep 1-15 days in the past month than PCS and male CCS.

CONCLUSIONS

Cancer survivors experience worse HRQoL than similar individuals without a history of cancer and the severity of affected HRQoL domains differ by time since diagnosis, cancer type, and gender.

A longitudinal study of anxiety, depression and distress as predictors of sexual and urinary quality of life in men with prostate cancer

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prevalence of depression, anxiety and distress among active surveillance (AS) and radical prostatectomy (RP) patients. To evaluate the impact of these symptoms at baseline on urinary and sexual quality of life at follow-up.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients managed with AS or RP who completed validated questionnaires assessing levels of depression, anxiety, distress and urinary (UF) and sexual function (SF) and bother comprised the final analytic cohort. These measures were completed at baseline, within 1 year, and between 1 and 3 years from baseline. Mixed model repeated measures analysis was used to examine associations between mental health at baseline and sexual and urinary outcomes in a subset of RP patients with complete follow-up.

RESULTS

Among 679 men who comprised the study cohort, baseline prevalence of moderate or higher levels of depression or anxiety were low (<5%), while levels of mild depression or anxiety ranged from 3-16% over time. Baseline levels of elevated distress ranged from 8-20%. Among men who provided data at baseline and follow-up, there were no significant differences between AS and RP patients in the proportion of men with elevated levels of depression, anxiety, or distress. Among 177 men who underwent RP and had complete follow-up moderate or higher levels of depression or anxiety appeared to be associated with post-treatment SF and bother, while elevated levels of distress were associated with post-treatment UF.

CONCLUSION

Moderate or higher levels of depression or anxiety were low in men with localised prostate cancer but were associated with sexual outcomes, while elevated distress was associated with urinary outcomes. Greater attention should be paid to mental health symptoms among men with prostate cancer, as these symptoms may be associated with quality of life outcomes.