Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or type 2 diabetes in Greenland - a qualitative interpretive description study

Non-communicable diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) represent major challenges for health systems all over the world. In an interview study, we explored patient experiences and perspectives of being diagnosed and living with COPD or T2D in Greenland. Participants (n = 24) were selected by purposeful sampling and recruited by phone. We conducted individual semi-structured interviews at the National Hospital in Nuuk and the four regional hospitals. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using interpretive description. Three themes emerged: shock and shame on receiving the diagnosis, coping with a changed life, and varying needs for care and communication. We found that being diagnosed with COPD or T2D required a rapid change in the participants' everyday lives and lifestyle behaviours. Some self-managed their disease well and were able to transfer their knowledge and integrate it into their daily lives, while others struggled to make lifestyle changes. Additionally, living with COPD or T2D could be related to silence and shame. The findings contribute to a better understanding of living with COPD or T2D in the Arctic region and the development of future, culturally-adapted patient education initiatives.

Impact of FRAilty screening and Geriatric assessment and INtervention in older patients with epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A multicenter randomized clinical trial protocol (FRAGINOC)

INTRODUCTION

Radical surgery combined with chemotherapy is the only potential curative treatment of patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). However, 43% of older Danish patients with EOC are not referred to surgery due to frailty, age, or fear of complications. Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) has demonstrated ability to reduce frailty in older patients, but there is a knowledge gap regarding its effect before or during treatment in older adults with EOC. This protocol presents a randomized controlled trial (RCT), which evaluates the effect of CGA-based interventions including individualized physical exercise therapy in older adults with EOC during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This RCT will include patients aged ≥70 years with primary EOC referred to NACT. Patients will be randomized 1:1 to intervention or standard of care, along with neoadjuvant antineoplastic treatment. Stratification for performance status and center of inclusion will be performed. In the intervention arm, a geriatrician will perform CGA and corresponding geriatric interventions and patients will undergo an individualized home-based exercise program managed by a physiotherapist. All patients will be evaluated with Geriatric-8, modified Geriatric-8, clinical frailty scale, and physical tests at randomization. Predictive values (positive/negative) will be evaluated for CGA detected impairments. The primary endpoint is the proportion of patients referred to interval debulking surgery (IDS). Secondary endpoints include the proportion who complete oncological treatment, improvements in physical tests, quality of life measured by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Quality of Life questionnaires at inclusion, after three cycles of chemotherapy, and at end of chemotherapy treatment. Furthermore, the association between results of geriatric screening tests, CGA, and physical tests with complication rate and progression free survival will be examined. The primary outcome will be analyzed with logistic regression in the intention-to-treat population. Power calculations reveal the need to enroll 216 patients.

DISCUSSION

The present study examines whether CGA-based interventions including individualized physical exercise can increase the referral rate for potential curative IDS in older patients with EOC. If successful, this will result in more patients undergoing surgery and completing chemotherapy, preventing complications, and ultimately improving quality of life and survival. The study setup may establish the basis for direct clinical implementation if proven effective.

Children with otitis media in Greenland - A qualitative study of parental experiences

INTRODUCTION

The Greenlandic population has one of the world's highest prevalence of otitis media (OM). Approximately 9-14% of all children suffer from OM during childhood. Due to the climate, lack of infrastructure, and minimal access to specialist services, the Greenlandic healthcare system operates under significant challenges. To support treatment implementation, we explored parental experiences of having a child with recurrent acute otitis media (rAOM) and chronic suppurative otitis media in Greenland (CSOM).

METHODS

We applied a qualitative methodology with semi-structured interviews, to investigate parents' individual experiences. We included parents from six selected towns and settlements in Greenland, who were primary caregivers to minimum one child who had suffered from rAOM or CSOM. The interviews followed a semi-structured interview guide.

RESULTS

Eight interviews were conducted with ten parents (nine mothers, one father) to 13 children (nine girls, four boys) aged two to 20 years (median age five years). We carried out a hermeneutic-phenomenological, Ricoeur-inspired text analysis of data. The first episode of OM was associated with uncertainty about the condition, including pain relief and treatment. However, recurrence led to symptom recognition and a changed disease perception among the parents: from being a simple case of childhood OM to a recognition of a chronic condition that might lead to delayed linguistic development and hearing impairment.

CONCLUSION

Under difficult healthcare situations, parents represented a unique resource in care and treatment implementation. Parents often feel alone with the responsibility of care and had concerns for their child's hearing and language development, and they wished for their experiences and observations to be actively included in consultations.

Days alive and out of hospital after surgical treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer: A Danish nationwide cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Days alive and out of hospital (DAOH) is a validated outcome measure in perioperative trials integrating information on primary hospitalization, readmissions, and mortality. It is negatively associated with advanced age. However, DAOH has not been described for surgical treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), primarily diagnosed in older patients.

METHODS

We conducted a Danish nationwide cohort study including patients undergoing debulking surgery for EOC from 2013 to 2018. DAOH was explored for 30 (DAOH30), 90 (DAOH90), and 180 (DAOH180) postoperative days in younger (<70 years) and older (≥70 years) patients with advanced-stage disease stratified by surgical modality (primary (PDS) or interval debulking surgery (IDS)). We examined the associations between patient- and surgical outcomes and low or high DAOH30.

RESULTS

Overall, 1168 patients had stage IIIC-IV disease and underwent debulking surgery. DAOH30 was 22 days [interquartile range (IQR): 18, 25] and 23 days [IQR: 18, 25] for younger and older patients treated with PDS, respectively. For IDS, DAOH30 was 25 days [IQR: 22, 26] for younger and 25 days[IQR: 21, 26] for older patients. We found no significant differences between age cohorts regarding DAOH30, DAOH90, and DAOH180. Low DAOH30 was associated with poor performance status, PDS, extensive surgery, and long duration of surgery in adjusted analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

DAOH did not differ significantly between age cohorts. Surgical rather than patient-related factors were associated with low DAOH30. Our results likely reflect a high selection of fit older patients for surgery, reducing the patient-related differences between younger and older patients receiving surgical treatment.

Cancer follow-up supported by patient-reported outcomes in patients undergoing intended curative complex surgery for advanced cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Patient activation (PA) and Patient Involvement (PI) are considered elements in good survivorship. We aimed to evaluate the effect of a follow-up supported by electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePRO) on PA and PI.

METHOD

From February 2017 to January 2019, we conducted an explorative interventional study. We included 187 patients followed after intended curative complex surgery for advanced cancer at two different Departments at a University Hospital. Prior to each follow-up consultation, patients used the ePRO to screen themselves for clinical important symptoms, function and needs. The ePRO was graphically presented to the clinician during the follow-up, aiming to facilitate patient activation and involvement in each follow-up. PA was measured by the Patient Activation Measurement (PAM), while PI was measured by five indicator questions. PAM and PI data compared between (- ePRO) and interventional (+ ePRO) consultations. PAM data were analysed using a linear mixed effect regression model with intervention (yes/no) and time along with the interaction between them as categorical fixed effects. The analyses were further adjusted for time (days) since surgery.

RESULTS

According to our data, ePRO supported consultations did not improve PA. The average mean difference in PAM score between + ePRO and - ePRO consultations were - 0.2 (95% confidence interval - 2.6; 2.2, p = 0.9). There was no statistically significant improvement in PAM scores over time in neither + ePRO nor - ePRO group (p = 0.5). Based on the five PI-indicator questions, the majority of all consultations were evaluated as "some, much or very much" involved in consultation; providing a wider scope of dialogue, encouraged patients to ask questions and share their experiences and concerns. Nevertheless, another few patients reported not to be involved at all in the consultations.

CONCLUSION

We did not demonstrate evidence for ePRO supported consultations to improve patient activation, and patient activation did not improve over time. Our results generate the hypotheses that factors related to ePRO supported consultation had the potential to support PI by offering a wider scope of dialogue, and encourage patients to ask questions and share their experiences and concerns during follow-up.

Incidence, treatment, and survival trends in older versus younger women with epithelial ovarian cancer from 2005 to 2018: A nationwide Danish study

OBJECTIVE

To examine clinical trends in Denmark for younger and older epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients, focusing on incidence, treatment, and survival changes.

METHODS

We included a nationwide cohort diagnosed with EOC from 2005 to 2018. We described age-standardized incidence, surgical patterns, residual disease trends, and cancer-specific survival stratified by age (<70 and ≥ 70 years), stage, and period (2005-09, 2010-13, 2014-18).

RESULTS

We included 7522 patients. The incidence decreased from 16.3 (2005) to 11.4 (2018) per 100,000 woman-years, driven by the younger cohort. While the proportion of patients with stage IIIC-IV disease undergoing primary debulking surgery (PDS) decreased, the proportion of patients having interval debulking surgery (IDS) and no debulking surgery increased significantly. In 2014-18, 36% and 24% had PDS for younger and older patients, respectively, compared to 72% and 62% in 2005-09. In both age cohorts, the proportion of patients debulked to no residual disease increased significantly among patients with stage IIIC-IV and in the total cohort. Two-year cancer-specific survival increased from 75% (2005-09) to 84% (2014-18) for younger patients and from 53% to 66% for older patients. After adjusting for potential confounders, age ≥ 70 was associated with a 1.4-fold increased risk of cancer-specific death (95% confidence interval: 1.2,1.5).

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of patients with advanced EOC not undergoing PDS or IDS increased significantly. During the same period, patients debulked to no residual disease, and cancer-specific survival increased. However, a survival gap in favor of the younger patients remains after adjusting for potential confounders.

Patient involvement in Greenland hospital-care: A qualitative study of the patient perspective

This article deals with drivers for and barriers to patient involvement in Greenland hospital-care, from the patients' perspective.Data were generated in 2019, via semi-structured research interviews and field observations. At the National Hospital in Nuuk, participants were purposively included to ensure variation regarding diagnosis, age, sex, socio-demographics, and place of residence. A number of 11 patients participated in individual interviews. Concurrently, observations of bed-side care situations and interactions between health professionals and patients were conducted, and informal conversations were held with eight patients. Findings were analysed using Malterud's systematic text condensation, and constituted the following themes: "Patient characteristics"; "Interaction with staff members"; and "Personal experiences and prerequisites for information and care".One of the main findings was that personal expectations, confidence in the quality of hospital-care, language skills, conditions around family support, and taboos concerning not being able to take care of oneself, impacted patients' opportunities for involvement.It is concluded that patient involvement cannot be accomplished by simply focusing on patients' health competencies. To ensure that hospital-care is provided in partnership with patients and families, it is equally important that health professionals develop new skills, and that the healthcare system is re-organised towards a more patient- oriented approach.

Postoperative mobilisation as an indicator for the quality of surgical nursing care

BACKGROUND

Postoperative mobilisation is an important part of fundamental care. Increased mobilisation has positive effect on recovery, but immobilisation is still a challenge in postoperative care.

AIMS

To report how the establishment of a national nursing database was used to measure postoperative mobilisation in patients undergoing surgery for ovarian cancer.

METHODS

'Mobilisation' was defined as at least 3 hours out of bed on postoperative day 1, with the goal set at achieving this in 60% of patients. Data entry was performed by clinical nurses on 4400 patients with ovarian cancer.

FINDINGS

46.7% of patients met the goal for mobilisation on the first postoperative day, but variations in duration and type of mobilisation were observed. Of those mobilised, 51.8% had been walking in the hallway.

CONCLUSIONS

A national nursing database creates opportunities to optimise fundamental care. By comparing nursing data with oncological, surgical and pathology data it became possible to study mobilisation in relation to cancer stage, comorbidity, treatment and extent of surgery.

Perceptions of cervical cancer prevention among a group of ethnic minority women in Denmark-A qualitative study

Background

Cervical cancer screening (CCS) and human papillomavirus vaccination (HPVV) are effective measures against cervical cancer (CC). Attendance in HPVV and CCS provides the greatest protection, while combined non-attendance in HPVV and CCS provides little to no protection. It is hence concerning that some large ethnic minority groups show considerably lower HPVV and CCS attendance than other women–especially women from Middle-Eastern and North African (MENA) countries and Pakistan. Little is, however, known about the reasons for this low combined attendance pattern n.

Aim

To explore perceptions of and barriers to HPVV and CCS, among MENA and Pakistani women in Denmark.

Method

Focus group interviews were conducted. Data was transcribed verbatim, and analysed using systematic text condensation.

Findings

Seventeen long-term resident women originating from six major MENA countries and Pakistan were included. Mean age was 36 years. We found that these women, across different age groups and descent, had sparse knowledge and understanding about CC, and their perceived relevance of disease prevention was low. Compared to HPVV, their barriers to CCS were more fixed and often linked to socio-cultural factors such as taboos related to female genitals and sexuality. Moreover, they presented unmet expectations and signs of mistrust in the healthcare system. However, at the end of the interviews, participants became more attentive toward CC prevention, particularly toward HPVV.

Conclusion

Elements of insufficient knowledge and understanding of CC and its prevention were found among a group of MENA and Pakistani women. Their socio-cultural background further represents a barrier particularly towards CCS. Additionally, negative experiences and unmet expectations lessen their trust in the healthcare system. All of which underlines the need for new tailored CC preventive strategies for this group. Based on our findings we suggest that future studies develop and evaluate interventions aiming to improve HPVV and CCS, including user-involvement.

Non-curative surgical oncology: postoperative needs and preferences

OBJECTIVE

When intended curative cancer surgery is not completed, the postoperative transition to palliative care represents a prognostic landmark to patients and their families. In patients referred for highly specialised surgery for peritoneal metastases from the intestinal tract and ovaries, surgery is not performed in approximately 25%. Still, little is known of their postoperative needs and preferences.

METHODS

We performed 14 qualitative research interviews with 12 patients (four men and eight women, aged 41-85 years) undergoing surgery for peritoneal metastases; five of these were together with a relative. Five of the participants had ovarian, and seven had colorectal cancer (four men and seven women). The interviews followed a semistructured interview guide, were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using meaning condensation.

RESULTS

Patients accepted the surgeon's decision of refraining from the intended surgery. During the postoperative period, when realising the prognostic consequences, their needs changed rapidly, in some cases from day to day, and gradually they developed a reoriented focus on their lives. The findings were framed by two themes dealing with 'Change in treatment strategy' and 'Physical and psychosocial aspects of not undergoing curative surgery'.

CONCLUSION

When curative cancer surgery is not completed as intended, patient-centred communication is essential for patients' psychosocial reorientation and quality of life. Further, to support their well-being and action competences, patients have a need for basic supportive care and physical restitution. Finally, high-quality postoperative palliative care needs to be coordinated, which requires staff training and reorganisation of pathways.

Low attendance by non-native women to human papillomavirus vaccination and cervical cancer screening - A Danish nationwide register-based cohort study

Background

Cervical cancer is preventable through human papillomavirus vaccination and cervical cancer screening. However, possibly due to systemic, individual (e.g. low socio-economic staus) and socio-cultural barriers, it is likely that non-natives, especially non-westerns, are more prone to attend neither vaccination nor screening (combined non-attendance). This is disturbing as the non-native population in Denmark is predicted to rise to 21% by 2060. We aimed to investigate differences in combined non-attendance by nativity and region of origin, and to analyse the association between country of origin and combined non-attendance adjusted for socio-economic status.

Setting

1.6.2007–31.12.2016 Denmark.

Methods

Logistic regression was performed to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for combined non-attendance.

Results

170,158 women were included. Overall combined non-attendance was 11.8% [11.7–12.0]; 10.0% [9.8–10.1] for native women and 27.1% [26.4–27.7] for non-native women, with highest degrees among Middle-Eastern and North-Africans (30.1% [29.2–30.9]). Even when adjusted for socio-economics, women from Middle-East and North-Africa had substantially higher odds of combined non-attendance than natives (adj. OR = 7.5 [6.3–8.9] for Somali women).

Conclusion

Denmark has a relatively low degree of combined non-attendance. However, cervical cancer preventive programmes seem to be better tailored to the needs of native women and do not appear to cater sufficiently to the needs of the fast-growing non-native populations, particularly not to the needs of Middle-Eastern and North African women. In order to secure more just cervical cancer prevention, future studies are recommended to develop tailored intervention sensitive to the need of non-native women.

Non-Adherence To Childhood HPV Vaccination Is Associated With Non-Participation In Cervical Cancer Screening - A Nationwide Danish Register-Based Cohort Study

Background

The combination of organized cervical cancer screening and childhood HPV vaccination programs has the potential to eliminate cervical cancer in the future. However, only women participating in both programs gain the full protection, and combined non-attenders remain at high risk of developing cervical cancer. Our aim was to analyze the association between non-adherence to HPV vaccination and non-participation in cervical cancer screening for the total population and stratified by native background and parental education.

Participants

Women born in 1993 eligible for both childhood HPV vaccination and first cervical cancer screening.

Analysis

Logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of non-participation in cervical cancer screening with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Stratified and adjusted logistic regression models were used along with the Wald test in order to test for interaction.

Results

24,828 women were included in the study. Among vaccinated women, 61.4% participated in cervical cancer screening; only 39.0% of unvaccinated women participated in cervical cancer screening. Unvaccinated and unscreened women were often non-native and had the lowest socio-economic status, whereas vaccinated and screened women were often native and had the highest socio-economic status. The adjusted OR for non-participation in cervical cancer screening was 2.07 [95% CI: 1.88–2.28] for unvaccinated compared to vaccinated women. After stratifying by country of origin, unvaccinated natives had the highest adjusted OR of not participating in cervical cancer screening compared to non-native women from both western and non-western countries (adjusted ORs of 2.2 [95% CI: 2.0–2.4], 1.3 [95% CI: 0.6–2.8], and 1.5 [95% CI: 1.1–2.0], respectively) (Wald test p=0.019).

Conclusion

Among natives, non-adherence to HPV vaccination and non-participation in screening seem to be signs of generally poor health-preventive behavior, whereas among non-natives from non-western countries, non-attendance in HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening seem to be influenced by unrelated factors. Therefore, a differentiated and culturally sensitive approach is needed to enhance overall cervical cancer preventive behavior across different nativities.

Danish Gynecological Cancer Database

Aim of database

The Danish Gynecological Cancer Database (DGCD) is a nationwide clinical cancer database and its aim is to monitor the treatment quality of Danish gynecological cancer patients, and to generate data for scientific purposes. DGCD also records detailed data on the diagnostic measures for gynecological cancer.

Study population

DGCD was initiated January 1, 2005, and includes all patients treated at Danish hospitals for cancer of the ovaries, peritoneum, fallopian tubes, cervix, vulva, vagina, and uterus, including rare histological types.

Main variables

DGCD data are organized within separate data forms as follows: clinical data, surgery, pathology, pre- and postoperative care, complications, follow-up visits, and final quality check. DGCD is linked with additional data from the Danish “Pathology Registry”, the “National Patient Registry”, and the “Cause of Death Registry” using the unique Danish personal identification number (CPR number).

Descriptive data

Data from DGCD and registers are available online in the Statistical Analysis Software portal. The DGCD forms cover almost all possible clinical variables used to describe gynecological cancer courses. The only limitation is the registration of oncological treatment data, which is incomplete for a large number of patients.

Conclusion

The very complete collection of available data from more registries form one of the unique strengths of DGCD compared to many other clinical databases, and provides unique possibilities for validation and completeness of data. The success of the DGCD is illustrated through annual reports, high coverage, and several peer-reviewed DGCD-based publications.