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Azhar A, Wong AN, Cerana AA, Balankari VR, Adabala M, Liu DD, Williams JL, Bruera E. Characteristics of Unscheduled and Scheduled Outpatient Palliative Care Clinic Patients at a Comprehensive Cancer Center. J Pain Symptom Manage 2018; 55:1327-1334. [PMID: 29410087 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2018.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT There is limited literature regarding outpatient palliative care and factors associated with unscheduled clinic visits. OBJECTIVES To compare characteristics of patients with unscheduled vs. scheduled outpatient palliative care clinic visits. METHODS Medical records of 183 unscheduled cancer new outpatients and 104 unscheduled follow-up (FU) patients were compared with random samples of 361 and 314 scheduled new patients and FU patients, respectively. We gathered data on demographics, symptoms, daily opioid usage, and performance status. RESULTS Compared with scheduled new patients, unscheduled new patients had worse Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale subscores for pain (P < 0.001), fatigue (P = 0.002), nausea (P = 0.016), depression (P = 0.003), anxiety (P = 0.038), drowsiness (P = 0.002), sleep (P < 0.001), and overall feeling of well-being (P = 0.001); had a higher morphine equivalent daily dose of opioids (median of 45 mg for unscheduled vs. 30 mg for scheduled; P < 0.001); and were more likely to be from outside the greater Houston area (P < 0.001). Most unscheduled and scheduled new and FU visits were for uncontrolled physical symptoms. Unscheduled FU patients, compared with scheduled FU patients, had worse Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale subscores for pain (P < 0.001), fatigue (P < 0.001), depression (P = 0.002), anxiety (P = 0.004), drowsiness (P = 0.010), appetite (P = 0.023), sleep (P = 0.022), overall feeling of well-being (P < 0.001), and higher morphine equivalent daily dose of opioid (median of 58 mg for unscheduled FU visits vs. 40 mg for scheduled FU visits; P = 0.054). CONCLUSION Unscheduled new FU patients have higher levels of physical and psychosocial distress and higher opioid intake. Outpatient palliative care centers should consider providing opportunities for walk-in visits for timely management and close monitoring of such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahsan Azhar
- Department of Palliative Care, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Angelique N Wong
- Department of Palliative Care, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Agustina A Cerana
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Vishidha R Balankari
- Department of Palliative Care, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Madhuri Adabala
- Diagnostic Group Integrated Healthcare System, Beaumont, Texas, USA
| | - Diane D Liu
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Janet L Williams
- Department of Palliative Care, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Eduardo Bruera
- Department of Palliative Care, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
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Azhar A, Haider A, Wong A, Cerana MA, Adabala M, Balankari VR, Liu DD, Dibaj S, Williams JL, Bruera E. Frequency of concomitant use of opioids and psychoactive medications among cancer patients referred to outpatient palliative care at a comprehensive cancer center. J Clin Oncol 2017. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2017.35.31_suppl.240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
240 Background: There are potential severe effects when patients taking opioids receive other psychoactive medications. However, such combinations are sometimes necessary in palliative care. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of concomitant use of opioids + psychoactive medications in cancer patients referred to our outpatient palliative care center. Methods: Retrospective data obtained from consecutive consults was analyzed to determine the frequency of patients on opioids alone versus concomitant opioids + psychoactive medications at first presentation to our clinic. Association of type of medication with demographics and baseline characteristics was evaluated by Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous variables and Chi-square (Fisher's exact) test for categorical variables. Results: Among 541 consecutive consult visits, 365 (67%) patients were taking opioids at the time of referral to our clinic: 209 (57%) were on opioids alone while 156 (43%) were on concomitant opioids + psychoactive medications [69 (44%) were on Opioid + Benzodiazepine, 46 (30%) were Opioid + Antidepressants, 41(26%) were on both). Patients in the concomitant groups were on higher Morphine Equivalent Daily Dose (MEDD, p = 0.007), had higher Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scores (ESAS) for pain (p = 0.017), anxiety (p < 0.001), depression (p < 0.001) and spiritual pain (p = 0.03). Conclusions: A large proportion (156, 43%) of cancer patients referred to outpatient palliative care was on concomitant opioids + psychoactive medications. These patients were on higher doses of opioids with higher levels of pain and psycho-social distress at the time of first presentation. Further studies are required to better understand the clinical implications of concomitant use of opioids + psychoactive medications in such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahsan Azhar
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Ali Haider
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Angelique Wong
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | | | | | | | - Diane D Liu
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Seyedeh Dibaj
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | | | - Eduardo Bruera
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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Wong A, Azhar A, Cerana MA, Balankari VR, Adabala M, Liu DD, Williams JL, Bruera E. Characteristics of patients with unscheduled versus scheduled visits to outpatient supportive care center (SCC) at a comprehensive cancer center. J Clin Oncol 2016. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2016.34.26_suppl.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
144 Background: There is limited literature regarding outpatient palliative care, and even more limited literature describing factors associated with unscheduled visits. Our aim was to identify clinical characteristics of patients who walk-in (present unscheduled) to the outpatient SCC with the hypothesize that the patients who present for unscheduled visits have more severe symptom distress as compared to those patients who present for scheduled appointments. Methods: We compared 183 patients with unscheduled consults (CO) vs a random sample of 361 patients with scheduled CO and 159 patients with unscheduled follow-up (FU) visits vs a random sample of 318 patients with scheduled FU visits. Results: Among 544 total CO visits, unscheduled visits had worse median Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) symptoms (on a scale from 0 to 10): pain (6.5 vs 4.7, p < .0001), fatigue (p = .002), nausea (p = .017), depression (p = .003), anxiety (p = 0.02), sleep (p = .0002), and overall feeling of well-being (p = 0.0009). There was no statistical difference in shortness of breath, financial distress, nor spiritual pain. Daily opioid dose (MEDD in mg) was significantly higher in unscheduled CO visits (119.7 vs 62.9, p = .0004). Among 344 total FU visits, unscheduled visits had worse median ESAS symptoms: pain (5.7 vs 4.2, p = .0001), fatigue (p = .0006), depression (p = .019), anxiety (p = .014) and higher MEDD (111.3 vs 73.6, p = .0009). There was no difference in type of insurance coverage and better ECOG (p = .015) in unscheduled vs scheduled CO visits. Unscheduled CO visits were more likely to be from outside the Houston area (161/361, 45% vs. 40/133, 30%, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Patients who are either referred as unscheduled CO visits or who present as unscheduled FU visits have higher levels of physical and psychosocial distress and higher opioid dose. Outpatient palliative care centers need to provide opportunity for walk-in referrals for timely management of these issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelique Wong
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Ahsan Azhar
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | | | | | - Madhuri Adabala
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Diane D Liu
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | | | - Eduardo Bruera
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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Kumar D, Plagov A, Yadav I, Torri DD, Sayeneni S, Sagar A, Rai P, Adabala M, Lederman R, Chandel N, Ding G, Malhotra A, Singhal PC. Inhibition of renin activity slows down the progression of HIV-associated nephropathy. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2012; 303:F711-20. [PMID: 22718888 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00643.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we evaluated the effect of inhibition of renin activity (aliskiren) on the progression of renal lesions in two different mouse models (Vpr and Tg26) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated nephropathy (HIVAN). In protocol A, Vpr mice were fed either water (C-VprA) or doxycycline [Doxy (D-VprA)] in their drinking water for 6 wk. In protocols B and C, Vpr mice received either normal saline (C-VprB/C), Doxy + normal saline (D-VprB/C), or Doxy + aliskiren (AD-VprB/C) for 6 wk (protocol B) or 12 wk (protocol C). In protocols D and E, Vpr mice were fed Doxy for 6 wk followed by kidney biopsy. Subsequently, half of the mice were administered either normal saline (D-VprD/E) or aliskiren (AD-VprD/E) for 4 wk (protocol D) or 8 (protocol E) wk. All D-VprA mice showed renal lesions in the form of focal segmental glomerular sclerosis and dilatation of tubules. In protocols B and C, aliskiren diminished both progression of renal lesions and proteinuria. In protocol C, aliskiren also diminished (P < 0.01) the rise in blood urea. In all groups, Doxy-treated mice displayed increased serum ANG I levels (the product of plasma renin activity); on the other hand, all aliskiren-treated mice displayed diminished serum ANG I levels. Renal tissues of D-VprC displayed increased ANG II content; however, aliskiren attenuated renal tissue ANG II production in AD-VprC. In protocol D, AD-VprD showed a 24.2% increase in the number of sclerosed glomeruli compared with 139.2% increase in sclerosed glomeruli in D-VprD (P < 0.01) from their baseline. The attenuating effect of aliskiren on the progression of renal lesions continued in AD-VprE. Aliskiren also diminished blood pressure, proteinuria, and progression of renal lesions in Tg26 mice. These findings indicate that inhibition of renin activity has a potential to slow down the progression of HIVAN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dileep Kumar
- Division of Kidney Diseases and Hypertension, North Shore Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY, USA
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Yadav A, Kumar D, Salhan D, Rattanavich R, Maheshwari S, Adabala M, Ding G, Singhal PC. Sirolimus modulates HIVAN phenotype through inhibition of epithelial mesenchymal transition. Exp Mol Pathol 2012; 93:173-81. [PMID: 22579465 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2012.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2011] [Revised: 04/26/2012] [Accepted: 04/26/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) is characterized by proliferative phenotype in the form of collapsing glomerulopathy and microcystic dilatation of tubules. Recently, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) of renal cells has been demonstrated to contribute to the pathogenesis of proliferative HIVAN phenotype. We hypothesized that sirolimus would modulate HIVAN phenotype by attenuating renal cell EMT. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of sirolimus on the development of renal cell EMT as well as on display of HIVAN phenotype in a mouse model of HIVAN (Tg26). Tg26 mice receiving normal saline (TgNS) showed enhanced proliferation of both glomerular and tubular cells when compared to control mice-receiving normal saline (CNS); on the other hand, Tg26 mice receiving sirolimus (TgS) showed attenuated renal cell proliferation when compared with TgNS. TgNS also showed increased number of α-SMA-, vimentin-, and FSP1-positive cells (glomerular as well as tubular) when compared with CNS; however, TgS showed reduced number of SMA, vimentin, and FSP1+ve renal cells when compared to TgNS. Interestingly, sirolimus preserved renal epithelial cell expression of E-cadherin in TgS. Since sirolimus attenuated renal cell ZEB expression (a repressor of E-cadherin transcription), it appears that sirolimus may be attenuating renal cell EMT by preserving epithelial cell E-cadherin expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anju Yadav
- Immunology Center, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, Manhasset, NY 11030, United States
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Salhan D, Sagar A, Kumar D, Rattanavich R, Rai P, Maheshwari S, Adabala M, Husain M, Ding G, Malhotra A, Chander PN, Singhal PC. HIV-associated nephropathy: role of AT2R. Cell Signal 2012; 24:734-41. [PMID: 22108089 PMCID: PMC3258382 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2011.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2011] [Revised: 10/22/2011] [Accepted: 11/04/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
AT(1)R has been reported to play an important role in the progression of HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN); however, the effect of AT(2)R has not been studied. Age and sex matched control (FVB/N) and Tg26 mice aged 4, 8, and 16weeks were studied for renal tissue expression of AT(1)R and AT(2)R (Protocol A). Renal tissue mRNA expression of AT(2)R was lower in Tg26 mice when compared with control mice. In Protocol B, Tg26 mice were treated with either saline, telmisartan (TEL, AT(1) blocker), PD123319 (PD, AT(2)R blocker), or TEL+PD for two weeks. TEL-receiving Tg26 (TRTg) displayed less advanced glomerular and tubular lesions when compared with saline-receiving Tg26 (SRTg). TRTgs displayed enhanced renal tissue AT(2)R expression when compared to SRTgs. Diminution of renal tissue AT(2)R expression was associated with advanced renal lesions in SRTgs; whereas, upregulation of AT(2)R expression in TRTgs was associated with attenuated renal lesions. PD-receiving Tg26 mice (PDRTg) did not show any alteration in the course of HIVAN; whereas, PD+TEL-receiving Tg26 (PD-TRTg) showed worsening of renal lesions when compared to TRTgs. Interestingly, plasma as well as renal tissues of Tg26 mice displayed several fold higher concentration of Ang III, a ligand of AT(2)R.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Salhan
- Division of Kidney Diseases and Hypertension, North Shore-LIJ Health System, Great Neck, NY 11021, United States
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Adabala M, Jhaveri KD, Gitman M. Severe hyperkalaemia resulting from octreotide use in a haemodialysis patient. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2010; 25:3439-42. [DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfq381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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